SPORTS NEWS

TUPNews recently considered having the words “City Till I Die” tattooed across my forearm as a declaration of allegiance to Bath City FC. It dawned on me, however, that if there were any form of afterlife, I would continue to support Bath City in said afterlife, and that, in fact, any fan who claims to be “City Till I Die” is a fair-weather lightweight who will glory-hunt off to Arsenal or Man U as soon as they are reincarnated.

Pittsburgh Steelers fan James Smith was obviously working on the same logic, judging from this AP report:

“James Henry Smith was a zealous Pittsburgh Steelers fan in life, and even death could not keep him from his favorite spot: in a recliner, in front of a TV showing his beloved team in action.

The Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home erected a small stage in a viewing room, and arranged furniture on it much as it was in Smith's home on game day Sundays.
Smith's body was on the recliner, his feet crossed and a remote in his hand. He wore black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe. A pack of cigarettes and a beer were at his side, while a high-definition TV played a continuous loop of Steelers highlights.
``I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap,'' said his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58. ``He loved football and nobody did (anything) until the game went off. It was just like he was at home.''