Getting Autographs at Heinz Field

So, I'm taking my kid to his first game, Sunday, vs The Pack. I've been to plenty of games, but I'm usually pounding beers in the parking lot up until kickoff. Since I doubt I'll be doing much tailgating before Sunday's game, I thought about possibly getting in early and trying to catch some of warm-ups. He's already seen the Great Hall, and I'm sure we'll stop in there again, but I was wondering how yinz get into the game early. How long before kickoff do they allow fans in, and are you allowed to get down close enough to the field to get autographs? I'm not really of the mindset to bug these guys before a game, but I figured, being preseason, they might be a little more inclined to give a kid an autograph.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

I think stadium opens up 2 hours before the game? Unless you got seats in the first few rows I don't think you would have a chance to get an autograph? Players usually are just out there to warm up, they kind of ignore the fans.

I think on the one end of the stadium is the parking lot where the players park, maybe the best bet for an autograph is catching them there coming in or leaving after the game?

I could be wrong, I've never tried to get an autograph.

I think Training camp or the Friday Night Lights practice every year is probably best opportunity to get an autograph.

 

Before the game is tough. Players get there way early, and before the game, on the field, they are getting their game faces on.

After the game I have seen many players sign as they head to the parking lot. Players park in a lot on the north west edge of Gold Lot 1, on the east side of the stadium.

 

I've gotten autographs at games and this is how you do it. Get there and be among the first to go in. Go to the stands along the Steelers tunnel and players come in and out and they sign autographs. Look ahead of time to see which tunnel is the Steelers and which gate is the best one to enter at. I will be really surprised if you don't come out with some signatures. AB is willing to sign. Bryant and Foster are and even Joey Porter will. Mike Mitchell does it too. I hope you get some signatures and since it's just a preseason game the players will probably be even more likely to do it. I've even seen them sign stuff during preseason games. Good luck dude! I hope what worked for me works for you!

 

Made this with a screen grab from Google Maps. Pretty self explanatory. Arrow is where players exit stadium and either walk or ride shuttle bus to lot. Lot will be fenced off along red line next to Art Rooney Ave. You can stand along that fence after the game and some players will stop to talk and sign stuff. JH is usually pretty good and spends time there. Ryan Clark used to as well. Ben hops a bus to his car and leaves usually. I'd try here after the game.

 

Ha! I can actually see my ****ty seats in the photo.

 

Wow!! Thanks for all the responses!! Looks like I'll be getting there early and trying to get in ASAP.

 

I don't think there is such a thing as a ****ty seat when you are at a Steelers game. With that said, my seats are better than yours. Nah nah.

 

It's like John Madden drew it up on his prompter and was like "BOOM! Here's the players lot and BOOM! BOOM! Here's my crappy seats!" LOL.

 

Don't be complaining about your seats. Don't you know there are starving kids in Japan that would LOVE to have those seats??? LOL.

 

don't tell me seats are $$$$ty iam 4 rows behind you.

 

I can say that I always try and avoid the kind of seats you guys have because I like to be a little lower and more toward the 50 but are corner seats really "that" bad? I've never sit in them. I've just assumed they're not as good is all.

 

Then you can drop them off to them anytime you want.

Sorry, its the truth. See Ray's post below

Thats exactly it. Im so low that anything beyond the 30 going away is unwatchable. Yes there is the Jumbotron, but I realized that Im going to the game to watch it on a really big TV. You do get the atmosphere, so there's that. But if you want to actually watch the game, the seats are tough.

 

Most peoples are. Low is okay if you are between the 20s. Behind the 20s are okay if you are high (and I mean physically, not on cannabis). But low and behind the 20s...

 

I thought you mostly used the club though? Like I thought you usually got rid of your seats to someone else and you went with a buddy to the club.

 

Is that a son you're taking to a Steelers's game?

Wow, now that would be epic! What I would give to have seen a game w/ my dad.

All that's needed in the above photo is a circled doughnut.

 

Agreed. I love being high at the games. Are we talking about the same thing?

 

I had the good fortune of going to the games with my dad for 30 years. When I moved to Heinz Field I moved up to the club seats. A perk was they would put your name on a brick out in the plaza. I had them put my dads name on the brick.