GOP's Paul Ryan makes crucial mistake, waves Terrible Towel in Cleveland
Following the GOP script during the pre-election cycle the past year or so has been an interesting ride of the unexpected. So perhaps we shouldn’t be shocked by what others might view as a horrific faux pas.
Paul Ryan, the House Speaker and leader of the Republican Party — a fierce Green Bay Packers fan, mind you — stepped out at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland an interesting way: by waving the famous Terrible Towel of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
[Yahoo Fantasy Football is open for the 2016 season. Sign up now]
Proof it happened:
Look at Paul Ryan waving a Terrible Towel….. in Cleveland… pic.twitter.com/vdsDYHY71I
— LizzLocker (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) July 18, 2016
Even more proof:
House speaker Paul Ryan arrives to address @PAGOP and devoted #Packers fan twirls #Steelers “Terrible Towel” #WTAE pic.twitter.com/Uw8SCfKhIs
— Andrew Stockey (@astockeyWTAE) July 18, 2016
So savage! My goodness. Coming out in a Johnny Manziel jersey might have been the only worse option.
The crowd appears completely paralyzed by the move. It’s a natural response to almost anything that happens involving politicians these days. Cleveland Browns fans might still be a bit anesthetic following the Cavs’ NBA title run. But the locals seeing their hated rival team’s most hated symbol waved in their faces might be a bit much, eh?
Once more Steelers fans have to be laughing at their little-brother rivals at the sight of this. The Browns face the Steelers twice a season, and yet they’ve only managed three head-to-head victories since November 2003 (that’s a span of 25 games) against Pittsburgh. Just … ouch.
Look, no one saw Donald Trump getting this far, so who are we to judge on unorthodox political strategy? But even this just feels wrong.
– – – – – – –
Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
