The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum would be wise to offer this guy a position and pay him top dollar for it.
58-year-old Bob Petrella of Los Angeles can not only recall numerous details in Pittsburgh Steelers history, he can also remember small details from nearly every birthday he’s had since the age of five, license plate numbers, telephone numbers, random national events, and New Year’s celebrations over the last 40 years.
Petrella, a television producer, is one of only four Americans that has been diagnosed with hyperthymestia, meaning an over developed memory.
He can also recall about every Steelers game he’s watched.
According to ABC News, Petrella, a huge Steelers fan, was being studied at the University of California last year when he was asked: “When did Princess Diana die”?
His response:
"That was a Saturday and it was Aug. 30, 1997," he said. "I just remember sitting at home and turning [on] CNN or whatever. It was all over the news ... and then the next day the Steelers lost to Dallas, 37-7, which was Aug. 31. It was a Sunday.”
Wow. And you thought you’re Grandfather was good at telling old sports stories.
Just for the record, Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman threw three touchdown passes in the week one loss and the Steelers only score was by way of a TD pass from Kordell Stewart to tight end Mark Bruener.
But I’m sure Bob already knew that.
“You can show me a single freeze frame from most any Steelers game I’ve seen, and I can tell you the date of the game, and the final score as well,” Petrella said.
His best Black & Gold memory, he recalled, is when Pittsburgh won its third Super Bowl title during the 1978-79 season.
"Oh, that was my most memorable Super Bowl," he said of Super Bowl XIII. "Jan. 21, 1979, 35-31, over Dallas. Terry Bradshaw was the most valuable player. Threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns."
It doesn’t stop there.
“I remember when (former Denver quarterback John) Elway hit Shannon Sharpe on a third down play to win the AFC Championship game at Three Rivers Stadium in 1997, and when Jerome Bettis threw a touchdown pass in the Steelers win over the New York Jets in the 2004 playoffs.”
Without hesitation, Petrella went onto recall when Indiana beat North Carolina for the NCAA championship in 1981, the exact date that Woodstock was (August 15th 1969), and the day of the week (Thursday) when former U.S. President Richard Nixon was impeached.
Executives at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum should open their checkbooks, indeed.
OTHER STEELERS NEWS
- Safety Tyrone Carter has been fined $5,000 by the NFL for his hit on Chicago tight end Greg Olsen last week. He plans on appealing the fine. Carter will likely play this sunday against the Bengals.
Comments
Very interesting. I can't even remember when my anniversary is let alone all this HA!
Wow I agree with Steve. I don't know what I did yesterday. Interesting and unique article Dan.
I agree with Steve. I can't remember what I did yesterday. Very good and unique article Dan.
His memory is wrong. Bettis threw a TD pass in the regular season vs the Jets, not in the playoffs.
Yes, Oscar you are right. Even the link on the page shows that Bettis did not toss a touchdown pass in that game. He rushed for a 3-yard score.
Thank god the people at the Western Pa museum don't open a checkbook up and actually check their facts!!! Speaking of checking, Make sure to check Gerry and my chat on PG Plus maybe you can learn something about the team.
This is a bizarre article and I agree with Mr. Bouchette. Chceck on facts man. Thank God for the PG. This is not even worthy of writing about.
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