PITTSBURGH — Several hundred people are already in line as the musicians are starting their soundchecks with just over an hour to go before the gates open for NFL Kickoff 2009.

The Steelers are expecting 40,000 to 50,000 at the concert today. And really, you cannot beat the setting with the Pitt Fort Bridge on one side and the Fort Duquesne Bridge on the other, as Heinz Field serves as the backdrop. A friendly security guard said Fort Duquesne was settled by the French 250 years ago, followed by the British at Fort Pitt.

“If they hadn’t scattered, we’d all be speaking French right now,” he quipped.

Well at least, I found that interesting. Consider that your Pittsburgh history lesson for the day.

Kickoff 2009 also will kill your diet. The available menu reads: Italian sausage, cheese steaks, hot dogs, steak burgers, French fries (leftovers from Fort Duquesne, maybe?), corn dogs, chicken tenders, fried vegetables (healthy choice?), gyros, chicken on a stick, pulled pork, funnel cakes, apple dumplings with ice cream, and deep fried Oreos. WOW.

There are only a smattering of Titans fans today, one of which, wearing a Vince Young jersey, was getting out of a car with a Steelers fan. I assumed, of course, that they were friends.

“We really don’t like each other that much,” he said, confirming my suspicion.

– Frank Tadych

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