Blank pixel used during image takedowns
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers. Two of the most iconic franchises in sports history. Nine Super Bowl wins between them (with an additional nine NFL championships for the Pack). Jack Lambert and Ray Nitschke, Mean Joe Greene and Reggie White, Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Favre. The Immaculate Reception and the Ice Bowl. This just might be the coolest Super Bowl ever, featuring a couple of legendarily rugged teams. So Complex is pitting the Steelers and the Packers against each other in a style showdown?
Ha! Yeah, we realize it's not very tough of us, but screw it, we don't do well in the cold so we ain't trying to run around getting exercise or any crazy shit like that. But we do know style (some of us at least), and these tough guy teams both have their share of stylish moments in their illustrious histories, from their dapper Hall of Fame coaches to their arrivals in Dallas this week. Read on as we crown a winner in this Super Bowl Style Showdown, but go ahead and tune in Sunday to see who the real winner is, too.
Legendary Coach
WHO: Buddy Parker (Steelers) vs. Vince Lombardi (Packers)
Buddy Parker was the head coach of the Steelers during the 1960s. For eight years, he led the team to five non-losing seasons (whatever that means). On the left, he's seen stylin' on 'em in the wide-brim fedora. On the right is Vince Lombardi, also wearing a fedora but topping it with a stuntastic cashmere coat, who led the Packers to five national championships.
WINNER: Packers. First of all, the Super Bowl trophy is named after Mr. Lombardi. But seriously, style-wise, he's SHITTING ON EVERYONE. He made the fedora a part of his trademark look, and his signature frames are timeless and are still a huge trend today. Buddy Parker who?
Logo
WHO: The Pittsburgh Steelers Logo vs. The Green Bay Packers Logo
The Steelers logo features three diamonds and is based on the American Steel Institute, *snore*. The circular logo is traditional and not very original. The G of the Packers logo surprisingly stands for "greatness" and not "Green Bay." The oval shape is also not seen very often.
WINNER: Packers. Stylewise, we'd rather don the oval G logo because we're fucking great. We'll pass on the Steelmark logo.
Rapper Co-Sign
WHO: Wiz Khalifa vs. Lil Wayne
Wiz is from Pittsburgh and reps black and yellow to the grave. He's so stylish that we even taught you How To Dress Like him. Weezy is from New Orleans, but is apparently a huge fan of the Packers. Weird. His style is also consistently fresh, though we think his shirts are a smedium too tight.
WINNER: Steelers. Wiz Khalifa has the whole country singing "Black and Yellow" whether they're a Steelers fan or not, while fans who rock Converse sneakers holler "Taylor Gang or Die!"
Super Bowl XLV Arrivals
WHO: Hines Ward (Steelers) vs. Charles Woodson (Packers)
When both teams arrived in Dallas this week, we noticed Hines Ward and Charles Woodson stepping out the plane in style. Ward looked like a Dallas native in a very Texan outfit, while Woodson looked dapper with a brown and tan suit.
WINNER:Steelers. We have to hand it to Hines Ward for this one. It takes a lot of confidence to rock the whole cowboy steez without looking like a rodeo threw-up on you. His clean black boots, shirt, and hat are silently killing it while his belt buckle punches you in the face. The cut of his jeans are a little intense but then he rounds it all out with matching Louis Vuitton Damier luggage.
Fan Accoutrements
WHAT: Terrible Towel (Steelers) vs. Cheesehead (Packers)
The fans of each team incorporate these accoutrements to their style to relay their loyalty to their respective teams. The Terrible Towel is a black and yellow towel waved around by Steelers fans. The Cheesehead is a foam hat worn by Packers fans.
WINNER: Steelers. Don't get us wrong, we love cheese, but a giant hat that resembles a block of cheese is not flattering. The Terrible Towel on the other hand might seem like just a piece of cloth, but seeing a sea of crazed fans in black whipping them yellow shits around is scary and badass.
Long Hair Don't Care Defensive Players
WHO: Troy Polamalu (Steelers) vs. Clay Matthews (Packers)
Yes, we know every sports media on earth has been comparing these two and their hairstyles to death, but it's too good to leave out. These two defensive players rep "long hurr, don't curr" to the fullest. Their personal styles wouldn't be the same without their locks of love.
WINNER: Steelers. Polamalu's beasty curly mane can be spotted from a mile away and outshines Matthews' blonde highlights (that happen to fade into the color of his skin).