January 30, 2011

Wisconsin Towel Maker Has Terrible Dilemma: The Terrible Towels beloved by Pittsburgh Steeler fans have been manufactured since 1997 by a company in Baraboo, Wisc. "We've got a towel war going here between the Terrible Towel and the Packer towel," said president Gregg McArthur of McArthur Towel and Sports.

posted by rcade to football at 09:16 AM - 17 comments

Yes, it must be a terrible dilemma to figure out what to do with all that cash.

I grew up in Baraboo, and we had those towels for sporting events when I was in school. Nice to see the rest of the country is catching up.

posted by rocketman at 09:14 AM on January 30, 2011

The NFL should eliminate the 2 week gap between conference finals and the Super Bowl just so the sports media doesn't have the scrape the bottom of the barrel to find something to write about.

posted by kokaku at 10:38 AM on January 30, 2011

Waving a towel around at a sporting event is stupid.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:42 AM on January 30, 2011

They eliminated the one week gap in the 2001, but September 11, 2001 forced the whole calendar back a week and cause all sorts of heartaches for the 2002 Super Bowl in New Orleans (they had to pay to reschedule a National Automotive Dealers convention to free up the Superdome). They put the one week bye back in so they never have to do that again. On the other hand moving the Pro-Bowl into that week was a good idea since it at least gives something else for the writers to focus on.

posted by jmauro2000 at 10:54 AM on January 30, 2011

Waving a towel around at a sporting event is stupid.

As a Dallas Mavericks fan, I resent your attempt to disparage the accomplishments of Bill Wennington in the '80s.

posted by rcade at 11:11 AM on January 30, 2011

The NFL should eliminate the 2 week gap between conference finals and the Super Bowl just so the sports media doesn't have the scrape the bottom of the barrel to find something to write about.

If Rex Ryan was along for the ride, media coverage would be so occupied with juicy nuggets that a story on towels would never see the light of day.

As a Dallas Mavericks fan, I resent your attempt to disparage the accomplishments of Bill Wennington in the '80s.

And ML Carr too, among others.

posted by beaverboard at 11:59 AM on January 30, 2011

Waving a towel around at a sporting event is stupid.

Not if the event is competitive showering. (I'm working on the rule book right now.)

posted by Howard_T at 12:22 PM on January 30, 2011

Waving a towel around at a sporting event is stupid.

Does that make waving "Homer Hankies" just slightly less stupid due to size, or is it the thought that counts?

posted by dviking at 01:45 PM on January 30, 2011

Good work Mr. McArthur. Now how long before an enterprising company in Pennsylvania moves in to steal your Steelers contract?
He never should have put Made In Baraboo, WI on a (sports) product headed out of state.

posted by geekyguy at 03:33 PM on January 30, 2011

Does that make waving "Homer Hankies" just slightly less stupid due to size, or is it the thought that counts?

I was afraid I'd get called on this. All I can say is that I'm still formulating my opinion on where towels, homer hankies and foam fingers lie on the relative dufusness scale.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:20 PM on January 30, 2011

The NFL should eliminate the 2 week gap between conference finals and the Super Bowl just so the sports media doesn't have the scrape the bottom of the barrel to find something to write about.

I've always thought that it would be cool for them to match up the conference championship game losers in a Consolation Bowl for 3rd/4th place. I'll grant you that there wouldn't be that much motivation, other than to play a game.

But if motivation and players going half-speed are the problem, then we should kill off the Pro Bowl (which I wouldn't mind, to be honest).

posted by Bonkers at 08:44 PM on January 30, 2011

"The NFL should eliminate the 2 week gap between conference finals and the Super Bowl just so the sports media doesn't have the scrape the bottom of the barrel to find something to write about."

How's this going to play out when they go to an 18 game schedule and add an extra bye week? Are they planning on starting the season Aug. 1st?

posted by scuubie at 09:34 PM on January 30, 2011

Maybe do away with the Pro Bowl and have a NHL-esque skills competition...at least there would be less risk of injury, and players from the 2 Super Bowl teams would be more willing to participate?

posted by MeatSaber at 09:37 PM on January 30, 2011

Punt pass and kick! I love it!

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:46 AM on January 31, 2011

They used to do some skills competitions with the Pro Bowl (or maybe it was just QBs). In any event, I am all for the idea of something like this and skipping the game--and I'd imagine the players would like it, too. (Although I wouldn't get excited about the Super Bowl players getting back in it unless they move it back to after the Super Bowl.) Maybe something new for the CBA?

posted by bender at 10:08 AM on January 31, 2011

I'll grant you that there wouldn't be that much motivation, other than to play a game.

I hate the lack of finality for championship game losers. But if the NFL really wanted to do it, the league could award the winner an extra pick at the end of the first round.

posted by rcade at 11:49 AM on January 31, 2011

Baraboo in the news for something other than the Ringling Bros. Circus? An awesome day all around.

posted by evixir at 09:38 PM on February 03, 2011

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