Why do Steelers play ‘Renegade’? Explaining Styx tradition at home games that started in 2002

By | October 28, 2024
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Professional sports are full of traditions and special moments between teams and their fans. In the NFL, however, there is no tradition like what happens in Pittsburgh every game.

Steelers’ home games have become synonymous with “Renegade,” a song by the classic rock band Styx that first came out in 1978. While the tradition is only a few decades old, it has become an iconic moment that Steelers fans look forward to every game at Acrisure Stadium.

The Sporting News breaks down how the Steelers started this tradition.

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Steelers ‘Renegade’ tradition, explained

Every game, usually during the third quarter, the Steelers marketing team plays a video of defensive highlights set to the Styx song, “Renegade” when the defense is set to go onto the field. The object is to pump up the crowd and the defense in hopes that a big stop or turnover immediately follows the montage.

Perhaps it’s just part of the legend, but Steelers’ fans will tell you that typically during the drive immediately following “Renegade,” the Steelers defense is able to make a big play. 

When did the Steelers start playing ‘Renegade?’

According to marketing manager Mike Marchinsky, the Steelers marketing team began to play “Renegade” with defensive highlights at some point in the early 2000s. However, it wasn’t until 2002 when the song really stuck.

In a 2002 playoff game against the Browns, the Steelers found themselves down 24-7 in the second half. With the crowd quiet, the marketing team played “Renegade.” From that point on, Pittsburgh outscored Cleveland 22-9, winning the playoff game, which was the start of a tradition that has become iconic in the city of Pittsburgh.

In fact, the Steelers played “Renegade” twice during that comeback, a sign that the marketing team was onto something with the song.

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