A different breed, praying for the same result.

A couple Sundays ago, at Beloved Disciple Church an hour north of Pittsburgh, the Grove City College professor Paul Kengor added one prayer to his regular list. He made a petition on behalf of his Steelers, who later that day would play the mighty Colts. Even as he prayed, Kengor felt a tinge of foolishness, impropriety, even guilt.

But then he saw his priest.

Strolling down the church aisle.

Delivering the morning's benediction.

Except this time the priest varied from routine by carrying no holy water.

Instead, as he passed among the faithful bidding them God's blessing, he waved a Terrible Towel.

We're now up to Super Bowl Extra Large, or XL, or 40, depending on how you read the capital letters of suffix. As much as ever, it's weird out there. Football does that to people. Paul Kengor says of Steelers worship in western Pennsylvania, "It's like a religion here." And who's to doubt that when a priest pulls from his cassock the black-and-gold towel that for 30 years has been the symbol of Steelers devotion?