A pair of brothers-in-law who have supported the Pittsburgh Steelers for 50 years jumped for joy when their sons surprised them with tickets to see the team play for the first time.
Matt Doyal, 60, and brother-in-law Scott, from Shreveport, Louisiana have followed the team since the 1970s – growing up in the same hometown as famed quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who won four Super Bowls with the franchise.
Their sons Chad, 32, and Zach, along with Scott’s son, 28, pulled off the ultimate surprise by hiding the news inside a cake box while distracting the two dads with a new TJ Watt jersey.
“After we surprised them, my dad told me he has been wishing to go to a Steelers game ever since he was 10 years old,” Chad said. “Fifty years of wishing and we are finally making it happen.”
The tradition deepened in the 1990s when Matt and Scott welcomed sons Chad and Zach into Steelers Nation. The only time the boys were allowed to stay up past curfew was when the Steelers played on Sunday or Monday Night Football.
Each weekend, the cousins would head to Scott’s parents’ house for lunch. Conversations always revolved around the Steelers and how they needed to go to a game someday.
As adults, Chad and Scott decided it was time to cross the trip off their dads’ bucket list. They targeted a Sunday Night Football game to create a strong atmosphere.
When the two dads opened the box, Chad shouted “Pack your bags, boys!” as a stunned Matt jumped on the kitchen counter.
Matt and Scott headed to the Steelers-Packers game at Acrisure Stadium on October 27.
“My uncle and dad can’t stop talking about it,” Chad said. “Those two deserve it all after what they have done for Zach and I throughout our lives.”
