At 3:01 p.m. Sunday, on the occasion of the Steelers' 83rd home opener, I swear I heard it.
"DEE-FENSE! DEE-FENSE!"
It emanated from above Heinz Field's north end zone, and it wasn't sustained for more than several seconds before all concerned had to reset a few yards from the Pittsburgh goal line. But it was unmistakable. It was real.
And it was the first time for that particular chant since ... wow, who can remember?
"Did you hear that?" Lawrence Timmons asked afterward with the sweetest, softest of smiles. "It got loud, too. I mean loud."
I asked LT right back why it happened.
"Because they're Pittsburgh Steelers fans, that's why. They love their defense. And we love them right back. There's nothing better than playing in this place when the defense is going like we were."
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