Just before the Steelers played the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in 2006, F. Michael Langley, chief executive officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, like many before him, took a stab at changing Pittsburgh's national image as the smoky city of old.

He optimistically declared: "Our hope is that the estimated 140 million viewers who tune into the game will appreciate today's Pittsburgh, not just how vastly different and improved the region is from its historical images when it was the crucible of the industrial revolution, but even since the Steelers' last appearance in the Super Bowl a decade ago."

It was excellently put. And now, Mr. Langley (and all of us who care about how the city is perceived), let us greet Steely McBeam, the Steelers' new official mascot. With his jutting jaw, his hard hat and working man's garb, he comes to us fresh from the crucible of the industrial revolution. We will all note that he does not carry a briefcase.

This is not a criticism, merely a friendly observation. The Steelers' introduction of Steely McBeam -- surely he will become Big Mac to the fans -- is a bit of fun and a good way to celebrate a Pittsburgh institution's 75th year. Even the name is inspired -- a blend of steel history and the Irish heritage of the Rooney family. The mascot was named by a Pittsburgh area grandmother in a contest that attracted 70,000 entries.

Of course, being Pittsburgh, where change tends to be viewed with suspicion, some have grumbled that the Steelers don't need a mascot even if other NFL teams have one. What's next? Cheerleaders? Heaven forbid!

Here's the observation: Perhaps those who care about the city's image -- ourselves included -- should put aside their branding concerns and lighten up. The Steelers are the Steelers and that won't change; they are not the Corporate Lawyers or the Health Care Managers or any other representatives of the "new" Pittsburgh. If they are going to have a mascot, he is going to look like Steely McBeam.

Who else would we have? After all, Sophie Masloff is saving herself for the cheerleaders.