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Korean Immigrants Embrace Pittsburgh Football
Jim Stevenson,
VoA News
January 24, 2011 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a city with a long
history of immigrants. Greek, Italian, Polish and Slovenians were drawn
more than a century ago to the thriving steel mills and mines. Today,
Pittsburgh has a much different feel, but the city still attracts
immigrants including many from Asia, and with an unusual connection to
American-style football.
A stroll down Pittsburgh's Strip District reveals two basic staples of
life in the so-called Steel City - ethnic foods and Pittsburgh Steelers
merchandise. The black and gold colors of the popular National Football
League franchise are seen in every part of town.
Ross and Marie Lee are two South Korean immigrants who proudly wear the
Steelers colors. "We came from [Seoul] Korea. I came in 1980. He came
in 1988," she said.
The Steelers had already won four Super Bowl championships by time
the Lee's arrived in Pittsburgh. The championships in the 1970s came
when the city was at the height of its depression from the collapse of
the steel industry.
The Lees were initially not aware of what the team meant to the
city. But they quickly learned. "We did not know. We did not know
anything about the Steelers. Over the years we could see what is going
on here and what kind of things [the] people wanted. So we ended up
with a Steelers store," she said.
The Steelers merchandise store they opened in the Strip District is one
of the most recognizable and busiest - thanks to the Steelers' continued
success. "We have been here over 10 years. This is our third Super Bowl
season already. We are kind of lucky," she said.
Medicine, financial services and high tech companies have shaped modern
Pittsburgh. Immigrants are now likely to come from places such as India,
South Korea and China. But the Steelers remain a big part of the
Pittsburgh community.
Pittsburgh has more Super Bowl wins than any other team and is seeking
an unprecedented 7th title.
Marie Lee says their client base includes Pittsburgh fans around the
world. "We have a huge Steelers fan [base] all over the country, even
over the seas. Some of them even come from Italy and Germany to watch
the games," she said.
The Lee's store has been quite busy this NFL playoff season. The
Steelers defeated the New York Jets Sunday to earn a trip to Super Bowl
XLV in Dallas, Texas on February 6. Pittsburgh will face the Green Bay
Packers in the National Football League championship game.
The Lees will be cheering for the Steelers and the brisk business they
hope the team will provide for many years to come.
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