5 day forecast
Celebrating fans keep revelry under control
Share with others:
Officers on motorcycles with sirens blaring roared along East Carson Street Monday night, moments after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets, 24-19, to earn a shot at a seventh Super Bowl title.
Revelers twirling Terrible Towels clogged the major thoroughfare near 16th Street, and officers were ordering them to "get back" so cars and buses could pass.
Chants of, "We want seven!" were giving the police sirens a run for their auditory money.
"Its great, this is great for the city," said Chris Blair, 26, a Duquesne University student. "We've all come together for our Steelers."
Crowds also jammed sidewalks in Oakland, Brookline and the North Shore, where more than 66,000 fans faced a traffic nightmare in trying to make their way home.
"Oh, I am so excited," said Nick Marino, 22, of Cecil, his face painted black and gold.
Mr. Marino said he had paid more than $600 for tonight's ticket.
"It was worth every penny," he said.
Just before the Carson Street bars erupted into the streets, Aaron Sohl, 29, of the South Side, stood alone on the corner of 20th and Carson.
"You can hear a pin drop out here," he shouted. "This is pathetic! People should be tipping over cars and stuff! "
Moments later, the street flooded with screaming bar-goers, their victory chants muffled by the sirens of police motorcycles that rolled down Carson to keep the streets clear. For the most part, they were successful. Police said the streets were clearing by 10:15 p.m., though SWAT teams and officers in riot gear hung on street corners just in case.
"Everybody kind of behaved themselves and dispersed on their own," Sergeant Terrence Donnelly said. "Which is what we want."
First Published January 24, 2011 12:00 am
