- 08/25/2006 (12:51:11 pm)
- Media
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Bruno Sammartino, a pro wrestling legend in
Sammartino watched the practice from the end zone and then met up with head coach Bill Cowher after practice. The two previously met at a golf outing hosted by Mike
"It was good to see Bill again because he told me what a big fan he used to be," said the 71-year old Sammartino. "That was very flattering to hear that from the Super Bowl coach. Certainly Bill Cowher is a legend. He has been there 15 years and taken them all the way to the Super Bowl. That qualifies him as a legend.
Sammartino, who watches every Steelers game, enjoyed his first-ever trip to camp.
"I see it on the news all of the time but this is the first time I ever came here," said Sammartino. "I am a huge, huge Steelers fan."
http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17104423&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478568&rfi=6
"CAMP SIGHTS
One of Pittsburgh's most famous sports personalities stopped by training camp Wednesday to watch the Steelers' last practice and to chat with coach Bill Cowher.
"Bruno, it's great to see you," Cowher said as he shook hands with Bruno Sammartino, the former professional heavyweight wrestler. "I used to love watching you."
Sammartino, who remembers meeting Cowher several years ago at the Mike Ditka celebrity golf outing, was making his first visit to training camp
"I've never been here before," Sammartino said. "But I've heard so much about this place. It's a marvelous place for the Steelers to have training camp."
When Wednesday's practice ended, Sammartino was escorted out to one of the practice fields and met with Cowher. The two talked for about 10 minutes and then posed for pictures for a few fans lucky enough to capture a Pittsburgh icon hugging the coach of the reigning Super Bowl champs.
"I don't consider myself a legend, but Bill is," Sammartino said. "I was so flattered to hear him say he was a fan of mine."
Sammartino, who's no 71, looks extremely fit for his age. He's no longer a 275-pound behemoth, but he's a chiseled 215-pound senior citizen.
"Thanks for stopping buy," Cowher said after one last handshake with Sammartino."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06236/715925-66.stm
"Legends meet"
"Pittsburgh pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino met Pittsburgh pro coaching legend Bill Cowher on the field after practice.
Someone wondered what position Sammartino might have played had he opted for football.
"If Dan Kreider goes down, this is my fullback," Cowher said. "Bruno would not want to run with the ball; he'd rather block."
Sammartino thanked Cowher for last season.
"I never miss a game. Never. I go back to the old country [Italy], but I never go back during the season."
