The Steelers recently took a trip to Dave and Buster’s for some team bonding. Each year a day is picked for the team to partake in fun, team-building activities.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/871747199293677569?s=09

When OTAs happen @DaveandBusters, it's all fun and games. pic.twitter.com/zA4ihJvGZl

— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) June 5, 2017

This is an annual tradition for the team that somehow still surprises many when they cancel practice that day. Sure enough, madness ensued. not every person was thrilled with the idea of a day away from voluntary practice in shorts.

This off day trip drew many reactions, varying in rationality. Many quickly started calling the team unfocused and began comparing them to the Patriots. Based on the reactions I read from websites and fans, I thought of what a dialogue between these people and a rationale Steelers fan would look like…

Person 1: I can’t believe the Steelers canceled a practice to go to Dave & Buster’s and play some games.

Person 2: It’s an annual tradition that Tomlin has done for years, it’s not really a surprise to those who have followed the team for awhile. 

Person 1: They need to be practicing as much as possible! 

Person 2: These summer practices aren’t even mandatory, they’re voluntary. Football in shorts this time of year isn’t going to win the Super Bowl.

Person 1: They won’t win the Super Bowl because they won’t be able to beat the Patriots. Do you think Belichick skips practices to take his team to an arcade? 

Person 2: The Steelers and Patriots have polar opposite cultures. The Patriots are known for being a cold, rigid organization, while the Steelers prioritize family. Family has always been a focus with the Rooneys and these team-building activities go along with that idea. It gives the players time to bond and builds chemistry, which will actually help them on the field. 

Person 1: Team bonding won’t matter when they lose in the AFC Championship again?

Person 2: Making the AFC Championship game is still an accomplishment. Most fans would kill just to make the wild card game, or even just a winning season. Look at Browns fans: when’s the last time they even sniffed the AFC Championship game?

Person 1: Whatever man.

This conversation represents how many reacted to this news. With football news being slow, the critics and negative minded fans want to latch onto any news that they can use as ammunition for bashing the Steelers organization.

People are still hurt over the loss to the Patriots, which is fine and understandable. However, the loss doesn’t mean we need to go and copy the cold culture of the Patriots organization. The Steelers culture has helped them win six Super Bowls; there’s no need for drastic alterations. If people want us to copy the Patriots, then they should be happy we drafted a long snapper this year: which the Patriots did in 2015.

The relationships built in that Dave and Buster’s, contrary to popular belief, does translate onto the field. The chemistry and bond create a culture of family and unity. That is a team I want to root for. So go ahead and play whack-a-mole LT Walton, play some air hockey JuJu Smith-Schuster. Missing one day of practice isn’t going to kill this team… especially when it’s voluntary practices.

In shorts.