More than 12,000 Steelers fans turn out for "Friday Night Lights" practice

LATROBE, Pa. (KDKA) — There are a few milestones for the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp: the first day of practice, the first padded practice and the "Friday Night Lights" practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium in downtown Latrobe.

By all accounts, it was a Friday night home game. But instead of the Latrobe Wildcats taking the field in their orange and black, it was the Steelers lining up in their black and gold.

The practice is an annual tradition for the Steelers during training camp. And while it is a tradition for many fans each year, some fans attended their first "Friday Night Lights" practice.

"I've been a huge Steeler fan all my life," said John Blum, of Zelienople. "I've never been to a 'Friday Night Lights' and it's my first time getting off of work for it. I took a vacation day, and I'm pretty excited."

C R Williams came in from Chicago rocking some amazing Steeler sneakers. He's been coming to this event for the last three years.

"I've been a Steeler fan since 1973," said Williams. "Since I came back from Germany. I was stationed in Texas and a guy asked me what team I was involved with. And I didn't really know, so he said the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Latrobe Memorial Stadium only seats around 8,000 people, some 60,000 or so less than Acrisure Stadium, but with standing room, more than 12,000 were on hand not only to cheer on their team but to make memories and even a few predictions.

"I would like to say Super Bowl, but hopefully just pretty close," Amanda Dodge, of Bismarck, North Dakota, said.

Now, if you didn't make it out on Friday, don't worry. The Steelers are back in action Saturday and Sunday afternoon at Saint Vincent College . The tickets for those practices are free.