Annual 'Shear Da Beard' Event To Raise Money For Children's Hospital
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A special event next week will bring out a lot of Steelers past and present - and you are invited, too. It's a rather curious, but always-packed annual gathering.
It is a public act of grooming.
The hair-lowering ritual known as "Shear Da Beard" is now in its sixth year. Retired Steelers defensive lineman Brett Keisel - the creature who gives life to the "Da Beard" - reluctantly sacrifices his glorious facial hair each winter. Reluctantly, because he knows how good it looks.
"I really like the way I look with the beard," says Keisel. "I enjoy it. In fact, when it goes, I'm a little sad."
But, Keisel also knows the facial hair that made opposing linemen tremble is also a powerful fundraising force. He's discovered that many people will pay good money to come watch his beard being removed.
"It's a party," Keisel says. "We turn it into a party. I get a bunch of my friends and teammates to come by."
Each of the "celebrity barbers" takes a snip until the beard is gone. The event at Jergel's Rhythm Grill in Warrendale also features live music, live and silent auctions and appetizers.
Tickets cost $50 and all proceeds benefit cancer programs at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
The doors open at 6 p.m. and the beard shearing begins at 7 p.m.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Jergel's Rhythm Grill's website or Keisel's website.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
