Golden style: The Steelers celebrate 5 decades of fashion

Rocky Bleier and Mel Blount suited up for the Steelers like they did 50 years ago on Friday night.

Fans cheered when they walked out.

Terrible Towels were swirling.

But instead of game time, it was show time.

And the field was a runway.

They walked a similar catwalk to one five decades ago.

Legends and four-time Super Bowl champions from the Steelers of the 1970s, Blount and Bleier were guests of honor at “Steelers Style,” the annual fashion show that has raised millions for local charities.

This year’s theme was “Suit Up.”

“We have some special guests tonight,” said Art Rooney II, who chaired the event with wife, Greta, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and his wife, Kiya.

Those special guests?

“Players who were in the fashion show 50 years ago,” Art Rooney II said.

With the philanthropic event celebrating its golden anniversary — 50 years of Steelers players and their families highlighting their style — the evening at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore included not only players from the past but also a video presentation of the fashion show through the decades.

The event has evolved over the years. It began at the former Hilton Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh as a runway show and moved to then Heinz Field, now Acrisure Stadium, before finding its current home at Stage AE.

The show has grown from an evening of fashion to also include musical and dance performances, a disc jockey, video presentations and lighting and special effects.

When asked about that first show, Bleier said he doesn’t remember much about it. He recalled a few of the early years where he walked the runway with his children, who loved being a part of it, he said.

“What I remember most about everything the Steelers do is that it is always about family,” Bleier said. “And events like this fashion show are about what family is about.

“It’s about giving back to the community, which is a reflection of the Rooney family. This is their home. And it has always been that way since when I came here as a rookie in 1968.”

That first fashion show featured clothing from the Disco era, with bell-bottoms and jump suits in bold hues for women. Actor John Travolta set the trend for men during that era with tight pants and loose, unbuttoned shirts and platform shoes.

The Steelers set the trend for winning in the 1970s as they captured four Super Bowl trophies beginning with their first to cap off the 1974 season with a victory against the Minnesota Vikings — the same year as the fashion show began.

Courtesy of Karl Roser | Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers President Art Rooney II (left) greets the 650 guests for the annual “Steelers Style” fashion show along with his wife, Greta, and head coach Mike Tomlin and his wife, Kiya.

The current team is 3-1 and on a quest for a seventh Lombardi Trophy this season. Art Rooney II said the evening was a pep rally for the upcoming Sunday Night Football game when the Steelers host the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure.

“It’s a big game Sunday night,” he said.

Leading the players on the runway were the honorary co-captains for the evening tight end Pat Freiermuth and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi.

“There is so much energy here tonight,” Ogunjobi said. “And lots of good vibes.”

Courtesy of Karl Roser | Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (center left) greets the 650 guests along with co-captain for the evening and teammate defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi (center right) at “Steelers Style,” a fashion show celebrating 50 years on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Co-chairs of the event Steelers President Art Rooney II (far left) his wife Greta and head coach Mike Tomlin (far right) and his wife, Kiya, listen to Freiermuth.

Freiermuth thanked his teammates for being a part of the evening and invited them to show their style because he and Ogunjobi were chosen to select the “swag” award for who was the most stylish on the runway.

They chose two winners — quarterback Russell Wilson, his wife Ciara, a singer and songwriter, and their children and cornerback Donte Jackson and his daughters.

Wilson, who co-founded the Good Man Brand, an apparel line, modeled some of the clothing and footwear as did a few of his teammates.

Mike Tomlin, who gave a shout out to his mother in attendance, said the swag award is his favorite part of the show because seeing each of his players with the people they love displays their off-the-field personality and style.

Kiya Tomlin, a fashion designer, debuted her latest collection of National Football League apparel for fans.

“I am super proud to say I’ve been a part of this for 18 years,” Kiya Tomlin said. “I always enjoy the opportunity to bring my fashions to such an incredible event for such incredible causes.”

Courtesy of Alysa Rubin | Pittsburgh Steelers

“Steelers Style” is an annual fashion event benefiting UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Cancer Bridges, and the Chuck Noll Foundation. The event was held on Friday at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.

Proceeds benefit the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Cancer Bridges and the Chuck Noll Foundation.

Cancer Bridges has been a recipient since 1992.

“We are beyond grateful for this vital partnership, “said Rebecca Whitlinger, associate director for Cancer Bridges. “The proceeds directly help us provide services and make an immediate impact on people’s lives. We will never take that for granted.”

Mike and Kiya Tomlin’s son, Mason, who goes by Mayce and is a rapper, performed his song “Rock Your Body.”

University of Pittsburgh dancers were on stage for several performances and were part of welcoming guests on the green – not red — carpet which resembled a football field with yard markers. Break dancers entertained the crowd.

Star disc jockey Selecta was spinning the tunes. He opened the evening with the playing of the song “Black and Yellow” by Pittsburgh’s own Wiz Khalifa and ended it with “Renegade” by the band Styx which, is played to get fans pumped up during Steelers games at Acrisure.

There were sideline reporters. Players got to choose their music to walk the runway. KDKA-TV sports anchor Bob Pompeani was the emcee.

He introduced the Steelers rookie class, who wore custom suits by Surmesur.

“Fans get to see the players in a different light on a different field at this show,” Bleier said. “The players like that, too.”

Sisters Breona Donald of Penn Hills and Kwelin House of Homewood attended their first fashion show. They’ve grown up loving the Steelers because their mom, Renee Howard of Homewood, is a die-hard fan. She has Terrible Towels hanging from her ceiling and she never misses a game.

“This was wonderful,” Donald said.

“It was amazing,” House said. “We can’t wait to come back next year. Seeing all the players and their families, especially Ciara Wilson, made my night.”

This was the 24th fashion show for Greta Rooney.

The evening was presented by Neighborhood Ford Store, PNC, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with light bites such as oyster mushroom shepherd’s pie, seared filet, Greek chickpea salad and garlic poached jumbo shrimp as well as assorted desserts.

“This is the Steeler way,” she said. “This night has always been about family and raising millions of dollars for local charities and we will continue to do that.”

Most likely for another 50 years.