Why is Pete the Pick for Steelers on the Disney x Champion Collab?
Think we deserved Iron Man? Think again.
PHOTO COURTESY: DISNEY
Before football season officially begins next month, Disney already has announced it is pairing all 32 NFL teams with Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars characters as part of its Disney x Champion Collaboration.
Some of the pairings were obvious — The New England Patriots got Captain America, The Detroit Lions paired with Simba and King Triton was chosen to represent The Miami Dolphins.
It’s natural to assume that Disney would go with the obvious choice for Pittsburgh as well; A city notorious for its metal industry would make Iron Man the most obvious selection — at least you would think.
Disney decided to go a different route.
They gave us Pete.
PHOTO COURTESY: DISNEY
The villainous arch nemesis of the beloved Mickey Mouse. The four-toothed ginormous cat that has spent decades trying to kidnap Minnie Mouse. The character who always has his hands on his hips and a sneer on his face. The century-old character who has had nicknames like Dirty Pete, Big Bad Pete and Putrid Pete.
That Pete.
The collaboration raised some eyebrows among offended Pittsburghers, but the NFL was quick to explain the decision for pairing The Steel City with the villainous cat.
“Tough town, tough character. Pete was made for Pittsburgh. Disney’s original heavy is big, gruff and impossible to push around, the kind of grit Steel City respects,” says a statement on the NFL website.
PHOTO COURTESY: DISNEY
Disney had a similar reasoning.
“Blue-collar, tough and unapologetically physical, Pete embodies the smash-mouth mentality Steelers fans embrace,” is the description on the Disney store website.
People already seem to be taking a liking to the Steelers’ new mascot — the $39.99 T-shirt and $119.99 sweatshirt are both sold out on the Disney website. But don’t worry, if you are proud of being a Pittsburgh Pete the NFL website still has some merchandise from the collaboration in stock.
