PITTSBURGH -- Although it appears as if the "Rocky" statue in Philadelphia might be a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, it turns out Pens fans in Philly were just having a little fun.

Video: Pens Fans Talk Smack On Philly

There was a recent posting on the Web site Craigslist looking for someone to dress the famous "Rocky" statue in a Pens jersey sometime before Friday night's Stanley Cup playoff game against the Flyers.

“Rocky's a little sissy for that jersey isn't he,” said Pens fan Justin Rhoads. “I don't think it would fit him. It would probably be drooping off of him, you know. Get a kid’s small size maybe.”

The ad got so much attention that a Philly radio station solicited people to guard the statue throughout the day, but that wasn’t enough, because on Wednesday morning, a Sidney Crosby jersey was found on the ground near the statue.

A retaliation posting is asking Flyers fans in Pittsburgh to pull a similar prank, putting a jersey on a Pittsburgh landmark, possibly the "Panther statue on Pitt campus."

“It wouldn't last I don't think,” said Pens fan Mike Crum. “They would have torn it off in a heartbeat.”

Some Pittsburghers are on alert and being extra protective when it comes to the Art Rooney Sr., Honus Wagner and the Willie Stargell statues on the North Shore.

“No way. Never. Nothing Philadelphia on Willie,” said Crum.

On Friday, red-hot Pittsburgh will battle the in-state rival Flyers at Mellon Arena, where Pens officials are calling for another "whiteout" effect during the game.

All fans will get a free white T-shirt when they show up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Also, a pre-game playoff rally for Pens fans will be held downtown in Market Square at noon on Friday.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Mellon Arena. The series will then shift to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4 on May 13 and May 15.

---

Related Links:
More County News

Get RSS | E-Mail Alerts

---