New meaning to "diehard fan"

We're not making this up. Promise.

While watching the thrilling playoff game between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis that nearly gave casual fans a heart attack, Steelers' fan Terry O'Neill, 50, actually suffered a heart attack at a Pittsburgh bar when Jerome Bettis fumbled.

"I wasn't upset that the Steelers might lose," O'Neill told the Assosciated Press. "I was upset because I didn't want to see him end his career like that. A guy like that deserves better. I guess it was a little too much for me to handle."

After the fumble, O'Neill went into cardiac arrest and was revived by two fireman who happened to be watching the game at the same bar. It's probably a good thing that the fire fighters were only drinking beer and not trading tequila shots.

Bettis, the cause of the near-death experience, spoke with O'Neill on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday. Their talk, while pretty uneventful, can be found here.

This brings new meaning to "diehard fan," "heart of gold," and "lives and dies with the team."

Mr. O'Neill, The Big Picture, and Steelers' fans everywhere, salute you.

(Thanks to Deadspin for the picture).


In other news: Alex Rodriguez, torn between playing for the Dominican Republic and the U.S in World Baseball Classic, has opted to play for the Baskin Robins' 31-Flavors All-Stars instead.