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Fan pays homage to Steelers with body, house
Ron Vergerio
Eric Felack/Tribune-Review News Service
Rob Amen can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7982.
In an age when contests determining the biggest Steelers fan are battled with the size of a tailgater's hibachi, Vergerio, a 48-year-old Springdale Township resident, might have them all beat.
A bus driver and license examiner for Laidlaw Transit Services, Vergerio has gone to great lengths to turn his unassuming home along Williams Street into a Steelers museum of sorts, and his body into a living, breathing shrine.
Of his more than 1,000 collectibles, the detailed, colored tattoo that adorns his entire back is the pinnacle. A dozen players and Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. literally are all over him. So is the Pittsburgh skyline.
The work took Chris Blick of American Tatoo in Verona more than 100 hours to complete during an 11-month period. It is so detailed and so eye-catching that it won first place in the Meeting of the Marked tattoo contest in Green Tree in October.
Among 13 figures etched are Jack Lambert, Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Rod Woodson, Jerome Bettis and Kordell Stewart.
That's right. Kordell Stewart.
"I'm a Kordell fan, win or lose," Vergerio said, adding, "I'm glad Tommy's playing well."
Tommy being Tommy Maddox, who rallied the Steelers to victory against Cleveland a week ago and lifted them into today's AFC Divisional Playoff game against Tennessee at 4:30 p.m. at The Coliseum in Nashville.
"I think they can hang in there with (the Titans). But I think they're going to need a big play from some unknown."
This is what Vergerio, who also has tattoos on his arms and legs, lives for. And lives in.
The gravel path leading to his front door directs visitors into the kitchen, where the cabinets are painted black and gold. Photos, many of which are head and shoulder shots, of every Steeler on this season's team line the walls near the ceiling.
Through a doorway between the refrigerator and stove sits the living room, where more photos, these of past Steelers greats, decorate the walls above black leather sofas and chair. Vergerio estimates he owns between 700 and 800 Steelers photos.
Drapes with the Steelers logo that his wife of 26 years, Violet, sewed hang from all the windows.
It is in this living room that Vergerio, Violet and their four children — Angela, 24; Mel, 21; Teresa, 16; and Sheree, 12 — gather every week to watch every Steelers game on their new, 53-inch television.
It was an early Christmas gift from their son — who is named after Vergerio's favorite Steeler, Mel Blount — that arrived in August, just in time for the preseason.
Following the Steelers is a passion that has consumed Vergerio since the 1970s, when he first began attending training camp practices and started his photo collection. It is one that will continue to consume him, whether the Steelers win or lose.
"There's a lot of big Steeler fans," Vergerio said. "But I wouldn't think there are too many who are bigger fans."
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