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About

I'm a "sports enthusiast" as "nerds" would say.

I'm a displaced and despondent Pittsburgher living in Washington DC, which over the last decade has been home to the saddest sack franchise in the NFL. I hate being embarrassed for other people, but it’s hard not to feel bad for Redskins fans.

I’m a Penguins fan. As a jersey wearing Penguins fan existing in DC, every time I stumble upon a Capitals fan, I am told vehemently that “Crosby Sucks”, despite a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal as compelling evidence to the contrary. I’ve learned that it’s best not to engage in the “Crosby Sucks” debate, as it rarely leads to a positive dissolution of the conversation. I’ve instead , taken it upon myself to inform every Capitals fan in the metro area that Ovechkin is “ugly”--so we’ll call it a wash.

I’m also, unsurprisingly, a Steelers fan. As a Steelers fan, I’m keenly aware of the vast anti-Steelers bias (conspiracy) that permeates the entirety of sports media. I'm looking at you, Cris Collinsworth, you and your smug ghoulish grin. It’s a frustrating cross to bear, but I do it with the cool-headed and rational dignity of a person who is convinced the entire world is out to get her favorite NFL team.

Aside from the teams that I hold dear, I've got a passion for politics, martinis, Starbucks, writing hostile emails to sports journalists, as well as college mascots and the ESPN commercials that feature them, hilariously. I just don’t know that it gets any better than the Blue Blob eating Jim Kelly's NFL Hall of Fame jacket after beating him in rock paper scissors. Am I right?

There you have it.

Short List

  • Favorite Athletes

    Kevin Stevens, Joe Namath, Mario Lemieux, Dan Marino, Shaq, Andy Van Slyke, Troy Polamalu, Phil Mickelson, Marc Andre Fleury, Tiger Woods, David Ortiz, Terrell Owens, Chris Kluwe, Adrian Peterson, John Wall, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Cam Newton, Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Brown, Peyton Manning, Alshon Jeffery, Ray Bourque, Mike Modano, James Harrison, Doug Drabek, Jason Bay, Cole Hamels, Mark Schlereth, Ron Francis, Joe Mullen and Ulf Samuelsson

  • Favorite Sports Teams

    Pittsburgh: Penguins, Steelers, PITT Panthers, Red Sox, Wizards, Celtics, Jets, Nationals, Gamecocks, Bulls, Redskins, Nationals, 49ers, Giants and Bills

  • Favorite Coaches

    Badger Bob Johnson, Dan Bylsma, Mike Tomlin, Jim Harbaugh, Steve Spurrier, Jamie Dixon, Phil Jackson, Dick Lebeau, Rex Ryan, Rob Ryan, Dave Wannstedt, Chuck Knoll, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, Jim Schwartz, Stan Van Gundy, Jeff Fisher, Sean Payton and Jim Leyland

  • All Time Sports Moment

    The year was 2009. Steelers Superbowl. Penguins Stanley Cup. A beautiful moment in history.

  • Most Memorable Game Attended

    Besides Pirates games, all of them are memorable.

  • Most Unbreakable Sports Record

    The Pittsburgh Pirates current, and record breaking, reign of futility may never be matched. Way to be fellas.

  • Ruth or Mays?

    Mays. Because f the Yankees.

  • Unitas or Montana?

    Unitas. Now there's a haircut you can set your watch to. Oh, but Montana is a much better QB.

  • Jordan or Russell?

    Both fine men and excellent players, but I pick Sir Charles Barkely. A finer and funnier man, you'd be hard pressed to find.

  • Gretzky or Orr?

    Lemieux.

  • Pele or Maradona?

    Soccer isn't my favorite, but Maradona is a baller.

  • Federer or Sampras?

    McEnroe! Come on.

  • Tiger or Nicklaus?

    Tiger and Mickelson. Figjam.

  • Petty or Earnhardt?

    Neither, NASCAR is for hillbillies. No offense.

  • Schumacher or Senna?

    Is this more NASCAR?

  • ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC?

    Big East.. for now! PITT, along with my allegiance, is moving to the ACC in 2014.

Bulletin Board

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or to post this comment

  • Kyle Scott posted 11 hours ago

    Kyle Scott

    Flattery. Congrats, you have found my weakness.

  • Adam Fabian posted 2 days ago

    Adam Fabian

    Amber,

    I have to say I read your profile and almost fell out of my chair due to the number of similarities we share, and I think I found a new writer to follow. I am from Mt. Pleasant, PA. Grew up in Pittsburgh, and have been displaced to Phoenix, AZ. Huge steelers and penguins fan, and I understand your dislike associated with feeling embarrassed for other teams. I am forced to listen to ignorant and delusional Cardinals fans on a daily basis and I just can't help but laugh when they fail after such outlandish and unrealistic expectations. Politics and political debate are another favorite of mine, and if you ever feel like discussing them let me know.

    Have a good one and keep posting those interesting articles.

  • nick ditullio posted 3 days ago

    nick ditullio

    No problem Amber, I can dig your articles... Just not what teams you support ;)

  • Noah Rose posted 3 days ago

    Noah Rose

    Hay Amber. No problem on the fanning. I find your articles/slideshows very interesting and humorous. Yeah the Celtics look to be done. I'm not going to give up on them, but if we can't win with Rondo putting up MVP numbers, then I just don't think it'll happen. But, if Pierce stops fouling out and Allen can get his shot back, who knows what could happen.

  • Phil Gentile posted 4 days ago

    Phil Gentile

    Hey Amber! I usually don't talk to Steelers fans so consider yourself lucky. Excited about joining the team and making B/R even better than it already is. Really enjoy reading your stuff. Keep up the great work!

  • Matthew Sundberg posted 4 days ago

    Matthew Sundberg

    Hey Amber. No problem, I definitely like your stuff. I recently moved here and I just can't cheer for any team here. Just can't. I'm by the PA border so I get my fair share of the Steelers fanhood too, I guess I'll tolerate it for now. I just started on here so I appreciate the add.

  • Liviu Bird posted 4 days ago

    Liviu Bird

    Came across a couple of good "off-the-field" stories recently, and I noticed they both had your byline on them. Just thought I would offer my appreciation of your work. Sometimes, we need a reminder that sports are just games after all.

  • Scott Carasik posted 5 days ago

    Scott Carasik

    haha, not a problem Amber! I enjoy your stuff.

  • Bryce Jones posted 9 days ago

    Bryce Jones

    LOL!!! Well at least the Steelers have 2 Super Bowl victories since then and we have a bunch of disappointment. At least we can both agree on the fact that we are happy not to be Buffalo Bills fans.

  • Frank Almarez posted 9 days ago

    Frank Almarez

    Haha thanks for the love. It was sad to see Kobe putting all his heart to the game with little help.

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