Pittsburgh Review

Taylor Sinnott, a dedicated fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been honored as the 2024 Steelers Fan of the Year. This recognition comes with an invitation to attend Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans alongside other fans from across the NFL's 32 teams. The ultimate winner is chosen through fan voting.

Sinnott's passion for football was deeply influenced by her late father, Garth Sinnott, who hailed from Western Pennsylvania. Although she grew up in La Mirada, California, Pittsburgh and its team remained integral parts of her life. Her mother, Bernadette Sinnott, nominated her for this accolade following Garth's unexpected passing in 2023 due to a heart attack.

"Her dad's legacy is going to live on no matter what," said Bernadette Sinnott. "But now it's a little part of history with her winning this."

The announcement came during a call with Cameron Heyward, the Steelers' defensive tackle while Taylor was at work as a Child Life Specialist in Long Beach, California.

"We're excited for you," Heyward stated during the call. "Good things happen to good people."

The news left Taylor speechless and overwhelmed with emotion. "Oh my God," she managed to say upon hearing it.

This achievement marks Taylor as the first female nominee for this honor within the Steelers community. Reflecting on her journey and relationship with her father through football brought tears to her eyes.

"This means everything," Taylor expressed about how special it felt being recognized for something so closely tied to memories with her father.

Football has always been central to their bond—whether watching games together or traveling to matches like their memorable trip from Baltimore to Pittsburgh in 2018.

"Just being able to share memories like that is amazing," she recalled fondly.

In addition to cherishing these personal experiences shared over years past between herself and Garth; Taylor continues using sports' universal language when connecting meaningfully with young patients at work—a testament showing how deeply rooted both familial ties & fandom run within one person’s life story

"Daughters and their dads... having something every week was special," said Taylor reflecting upon those cherished moments spent bonding over football even after losing him physically but keeping connections alive via group messages among fellow fans including some who were close friends too!

"My dad would be so excited about this... It's definitely bittersweet."