U mad, bro?: Backhanded compliments, slaps to the face, fears of Pittsburgh teams slipping into the 1980s

Have you ever heard the phrase “backhanded compliments”? This week’s “U mad, bro?” hits me with a couple of those backhands right across the face.

Mark Madden gets one too. So do the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterbacks and Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.

At least I’m in good company.

Let’s start with Nancy. She’s a huge fan of “Madden-Benz: Unfiltered!”

“Why do you employ Madden and Benz. They are click bait artists that shouldn’t be published.”

Nancy, that is the … nicest thing I’ve ever heard!

An “artist”? Me? Really? That is so kind of you to say.

You know, I’ve heard “clickbait expert” or “clickbait master.” However, I don’t think I’ve ever heard “artist” before.

I mean, generally, I refer to my writing as my “work” or my “craft.” But, “art”? I am so flattered you see it that way.

Thank you for sending that. In the future, I will always attempt to live up to your lofty words. Every artist needs a muse. From now on, Nancy, that’s who you are to me.

More sports

• First Call: Steelers' minority ownership movement; ILBs interview with team at combine; Mason Rudolph's future
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• Quinn Priester searches for consistency in hopes of securing spot in Pirates' rotation

John sent me a lengthy email about my Mike Sullivan “context” column. Here are the highlights.

“I enjoyed the ‘context’ that your article provided. I’m a sarcastic and smarmy person too, so I always tend to get what you’re saying … Unfortunately, I think Pittsburgh is going to feel like a ‘Back to the Future’ movie because it looks like the sports franchises are all headed towards the futility that some of us remember as the 1980s. How’s that for ‘CONTEXT?’”

Gosh, the compliments keep rolling in! “Smarmy and sarcastic”?

You had me at smarmy.

And, yes, John. The ‘80s do feel like they are looming unfortunately.

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Anyone heard from Bubby Brister, George Hendrick or Rod Buskas lately?

Here’s an email from Roger in South Carolina.

“Keep on telling it like it is. Right now the Pittsburgh sports teams and delusional fans need to face the truth. As a transplanted Yinzer, I’ve had problems trying to follow my teams. Just upgraded my TV package to get out of market games. Now I can watch the Pens whenever I want! That’s the good news…”

OK. I assume the bad news is you have to watch the Pirates too?

Or is it that watching the Penguins means having to watch the power play give up shorthanded goals every night?

Steve had some thoughts on my recent “Mason-Andre Fleury” column.

“If Pickett never gets hurt, meaning Trubisky never gets to stink the joint up, nobody is clamoring for Rudolph to play. Fans and revisionist history n’at.”

Indeed, Steve. But in Pittsburgh, revisionist history is fun.

Reliving history is not.

Well, at least the past seven years of history for the Steelers. Or the past five for the Penguins.

Or the past 45 for the Pirates.

Let’s end with Jason in Slippery Rock. He’s making me blush.

I like you because Mike Tomlin hates you

— Jason in Slippery Rock (@meg_ree) January 29, 2024

Wow, Jason. That’s high praise indeed. Not as good as Nancy’s. But I’ll take it.

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