Going Hollywood
The Hollywood Walk of Fame draws thousands of celebrity fans daily outside of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
But each week, the Walk of Fame welcomes another group of fans -- hordes of Steelers fans bedecked in black and gold.
They gather across Hollywood Boulevard on the second floor of the Hollywood Hooters. On game days, the room, walls plastered with all sorts of Pittsburgh fare including a large "Welcome to Blitzburgh" sign, is nearly standing room only. As in Tacoma, Wash., the waitresses wear black and gold rather than the usual orange.
Fans gather at the Hooters on Hollywood Boulevard.
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The catalyst to organizing this group is Toogie Jackson. Originally from the Lawrence County town of New Castle, Toogie works as the kitchen manager at Hooters, although his real passion is comedy. An eight-year veteran of life on the stage, many of his nights are spent working rooms doing standup throughout the Los Angeles area. He also tours with other comedians performing all over the country. Displayed on the Hooter windows facing Hollywood Boulevard is a large photo of Toogie and Ben Roethlisberger, with a caption inviting Steelers fans to meet for the games.
Toogie seems to know everyone and works as a kind of a mayor when the Steelers are playing. During commercials, music is played from a large stereo near his table. He's so warm and approachable, it's no wonder the number of people that show up each week.
The crowd is very diverse. Many of the group's members have little or no actual connection to Pittsburgh yet are as diehard as any other fan from Western Pennsylvania.
Toogie Jackson
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One such fan is Timothy Weber. Originally from Virginia, he has followed the Steelers since age 9. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music and now lives in the Hollywood Hills, playing guitar in several bands and doing much studio work for others. His wife, Susan, and daughters Emma and Maya have also become rabid fans of the Steelers.
Many of the fans are born and raised Californians who fell in love with the team in the '70s or had some sort of family influence over their choice of favorite team. Others have their own specific reasons for cheering on the Steelers, such as the team's colors or hatred for the Dallas Cowboys. It's amazing how many fans we meet on our travels who have never visited Pittsburgh yet live and die by the Steelers.
Members of the club include Hollywood executives, actors, comedians, even a stuntman. On game days however, they're all part of one big family. Many friendships and relationships have developed through the club.
The next time you see a Hollywood movie premier with the red carpet and cameras flashing, realize that just across the street is a little slice of Pittsburgh. The Hooters of Hollywood Steelers Fan Club on Hollywood Boulevard is packed full of black and gold each week.
For more information on the club, e-mail Toogie at: toogiejackson@yahoo.com or check out his MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/toogiejackson.
10/25/2007
hey hey!! great as usual to see and hang out with you guys & you rocked the house last night!!! see you Saturday we will be by to have some lunch whenever we get up and around
