According to sources covering the September 2026 NFL season opener, Pittsburgh Steelers fans and visitors gathered in North Shore parking lots on Sunday morning for pre-game tailgating, featuring custom vehicles like Kim Sezawich’s “Goal Line Express” bus, team drumline performances, and a historic NASA flyover by T-38 Talons.
Steelers Tailgating Culture on the North Shore
Tailgating traditions filled the North Shore parking lots hours before the 1 p.m. kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons. Kim Sezawich, 59, of Whitehall, parked her converted school bus dubbed the “Goal Line Express” just off Art Rooney Avenue at 8 a.m., according to reporting from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The vehicle features a custom bar and a painted replica of the Acrisure Stadium field on its roof.
“It’s just like an RV,” said her husband, Karl Sezawich, 68, as he overlooked the stadium. “We have everything in here except sleeping bags.”
Nearby, Guillermo Vargas, 73, of Bethel Park, served “Terrible Towel” margarita drinks to fellow fans. Vargas, who grew up in Mexico City and moved to Pittsburgh because of his allegiance to the team, described the fanbase as a global family. Tremmel Booth, 61, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, who attends nearly every Steelers home opener, called the season-opening game a “national holiday.” Fans also interacted with visiting fans; Bruce Ibe, 66, of Squirrel Hill, welcomed a group of Atlanta Falcons supporters to his tailgate while wearing black and gold face paint and striped shorts.
NASA Executes First NFL Flyover
Sunday’s season opener featured a historic first for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. According to agency officials, the event marked NASA’s first NFL flyover, utilizing two T-38 Talons from the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The supersonic jets departed from Pittsburgh International Airport just before kickoff and flew over Acrisure Stadium during the national anthem. Anthony Vareha, a NASA flight director and Monroeville native, noted that Artemis astronauts train on those exact aircraft. “In the same way that the Steelers run passing drills and train, we train our crews,” Vareha said, adding that many agency flight directors hail from the Pittsburgh area. Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator, stated that the flyover was part of an initiative to engage directly with the public and build momentum for the agency.
Team News and Fan Outlook
According to team sources, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was ruled out for the opener despite being healthy enough to play. Meanwhile, fans expressed optimism regarding new leadership under head coach and Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy, who took over after Mike Tomlin stepped down earlier in the year.
“We needed somebody that was born and bred in Pittsburgh,” Brandon Fischer, 47, of Cranberry, said of the coaching transition. “He’s gonna bring us home.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Steelers play their season opener against the Atlanta Falcons?
The game took place on a Sunday with a 1 p.m. kickoff, preceded by morning tailgating starting as early as 8 a.m.
Which aircraft were used in NASA’s NFL flyover?
NASA utilized two T-38 Talons from the Johnson Space Center in Houston, which flew over Acrisure Stadium during the national anthem.
Who is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers following Mike Tomlin’s departure?
Mike McCarthy took over as head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down earlier in the year.
Want to stay updated on all things black and gold? Drop a comment below with your thoughts on the new coaching staff, share this article with fellow fans, and explore our site for ongoing coverage of the season.