Born-And-Raised Pittsburgh Man, Family Rooting For Broncos
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Denver Broncos flag, flapping in the wind, is not a common sight in Steeler Country. But Dave Rossi's favorite quarterback is the "other" number 7: John Elway. Rossi's den in Canonsburg is filled with Denver Broncos memorabilia.
"I was born and raised in the Strip District," he admits. "At a very young age, I loved football. My favorite color was orange, and I asked my parents for an orange football jersey. And since I was born on the 7th, my first jersey was a Bronco Orange number seven."
Then he converted his wife Brandy.
"My mom and dad, they support it," she adds. "Just like Dave's family, they're going to root for the Broncos unless they play the Steelers. And even then, they're on the fence."
Their sons wear Orange and Blue to school on Black and Gold Fridays.
"Some of my friends might ask me why I wear it all the time, but I just don't answer," says third grader Vinny Rossi
"I do wear black and gold sometimes for Pirates and Stee...no, not Steelers. Never," adds his brother, Xander.
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So, how do neighbors react to this?
"Ah, I get harassed," Dave Rossi says.
The family realizes, of course, that they are in hostile territory. To find that out, you only have to visit their neighbor across the street.
Steelers fan Brian Glivic has a friendly rivalry with his orange and blue neighbor.
"Most of the neighborhood thinks he has some issues," the neighbor says. "We know his wife and kids just have to deal with it. And that's why they wear the Bronco colors."
The Broncos family begs to differ.
"They have their Steeler stuff, we have our Broncos stuff, and we go about our business," Brandy Rossi says.
That's peaceful co-existence, NFL style.
