The jig is up ...

As someone who has always used music to get pumped up for athletic competition, I loved this video delving into the back story of how the Styx song "Renegade" became the theme song of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It not only talks about how that happened, thanks to an idea by then-marketing assistant Mike Marchinsky, but, of even more interest, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw takes us back to 1978, when the song was conceived. It was interesting to learn that the upbeat guitar-laden anthem was first written dark and dirgy -- and on a piano, no less.

Some of the more interesting parts in the video to me, were learning that members of the Pittsburgh Steelers actually call up to the booth to request the "Renegade" video/montage during games and how the song has become such a part of Pittsburgh culture outside of football. All stemming from one guy's initial love of the song.

"It just goes to show you, when you have an idea, speak up," says Shaw near the end of the piece.

Indeed.

With the Steelers set to meet the Packers Sunday in Super Bowl XLV, it seems like a good time to revisit this video. It will be interesting to see if the judge, or game officials, exact "revenge today on the wanted man."