I thought I was a football fanatic. I’ve screamed at the television, punched the wall and hated life for a couple of days after a major Redskins loss, especially to those vile Cowboys.

To me, the final tick of the clock of the Super Bowl is like a death knell, a signal of a long winter, spring and midsummer where life stops until I receive notification it’s time for Yahoo fantasy football to begin.

My football angst, however, is nothing compared to rabid Steelers fans, a spectacle I was honored to witness Sunday night.

I was adrift in a sea of black and gold, only three brave people dared proclaim they were pulling for the Jets and one wore a makeshift Jets jersey, proudly espousing his admiration for Darrelle Revis, a New York cornerback.

Being neutral and not wanting to be mauled, I joined in with the black and gold, at times twirling, counterclockwise, mind you, a terrible towel. I really was pulling for the Steelers since I figured the Jets got their props last week by sinking Tom Brady to the ground so many times I lost count.

It didn’t feel too bad and knowing my allegiances to the Redskins will never diminish, no matter how bad Daniel Snyder sinks this team, I wasn’t a traitor.

Now, let me just tell you, through the years Redskins fans have been accused of being over zealous, boisterous and brazen when we have something to cheer about.

The years haven’t been kind, however, and it seems every time we move forward toward a championship season, we take giant leaps back.

Steelers fans? Whoa!

I felt I was at Heinz Field, at least a miniature replica of it right here in the double R.

They surrounded me like the night at FedEx Field when we wore those deplorable burgundy on burgundy uniforms and were thoroughly trounced by the Steel Curtain, more of their fans making the trip to Landover than Redskins fans did.

Fortunately, the Steelers fans I watched the game with Sunday night were kind and since I was pulling for Pittsburgh, I suffered no harassment or humiliation, unlike my new friend who wore the makeshift Jets jersey to the party.

The terrible towel twirl.

I never got the hang of twirling the terrible towel but did near the end put on a black and gold wig — yes they had those, too, along with black and gold napkins and black and gold cupcakes, black and gold everything as the Steelers hung on to beat the Jets.

There was never any doubt I was in a Steelers house and, you know, that’s a good thing. I think I spent so much time laughing at the antics, the screaming and yelling and cheering that if I turned back the clock several decades ago I could have easily been a Steelers fan.

Yes, in a world where many people cheer for whoever wins the Super Bowl, I was among people, who like myself, have endured the lean years, the not so great seasons and have that streak of craziness like myself to scream at TVs, give big old high fives and have a good time watching a sport and team they love.

This Super Bowl could be one of the best in history and I already have my invitation from my Steeler friends to watch the craziness ensue and should the Steelers win the Lombardi trophy I will be happy for them because they win it in Dallas and that has to be a blow to Jerry Jones’ ego, to know Pittsburgh won their seventh championship in that vile place.

The same goes if the Packers win, that all the hype this year about Dallas being the team was just that: Hype.

It gives my bold assertion Sunday night some hope — that Rex Grossman will lead the Redskins to the promised land next year. I doubt it, but one can dream, can’t they?

Anyway, good luck Steelers and good luck Packers and to my Steeler friends while I will be happy if you win it, I will be rooting green and gold while always believing in burgundy and gold. Thanks for the invite — Lance Martin