Why the Steelers play 'Renegade': The story behind Pittsburgh's iconic pump-up song

For more than two decades, one rock song has served as the anthem for the Steelers’ defensive unit. When the screen at Acrisure Stadium goes black and the lyrics are heard, the energy suddenly shifts.

“Oh mama, I’m in fear for my life from the long arm of the law…”

When Styx recorded “Renegade” back in the late 1970s, the group likely didn’t anticipate the hit song affecting AFC North games nearly a half-century later. But the playing of “Renegade” continues to be a staple on Steelers game days, and the buzz it creates within the stadium is simply undeniable.

How did this Pittsburgh tradition begin?

How ‘Renegade’ became a Steelers tradition

Mike Marchinsky, the Steelers’ senior manager of alumni relations and youth football, became a full-time employee for the organization back in 2000. Marchinsky was listening to Styx’s “Greatest Hits” album in the car one day, and he landed on “Renegade” while driving to the stadium.

Marchinsky visited the control room, and in a conversation with an executive producer, he suggested playing “Renegade” during a game. The game day operations team produced a highlight video to pair with the song.

“When you create something like this, you’re either trying to get a reaction out of the fans, or you’re trying to get a reaction out of the players,” Marchinsky said. “And this one got a reaction out of both.”

Former Steelers linebacker Joey Porter admitted that he didn’t know the name of the song for years — he thought it was called “Oh Mama” — but he did notice its impact on the field. 

“We didn’t even really know the words they were saying. It was so much more of the beat, the pulse of the beat,” said Porter, who played in Pittsburgh from 1999 to 2006. “The pulse of the beat was electric from the first time we heard it — just, like, man, what was that?”

The moment ‘Renegade’ took over Acrisure Stadium

“Renegade” wasn’t played consistently during home games in the early 2000s, but a 2003 playoff game against the Browns marked a turning point.

Cleveland held a 24-7 lead over Pittsburgh in the third quarter of the wild card matchup. After “Renegade” blasted through the speakers, the Steelers mounted a comeback, and for the first time ever, the game day operations team played the song for a second time. The Steelers outscored the Browns, 22-9, in the fourth quarter, ultimately defeating their rivals by a final score of 36-33.

After that incredible postseason performance, the Steelers never missed a chance to pump up the crowd with “Renegade.” The lights always dim, the montage of massive hits and turnovers always flashes on the big screen and the Acrisure Stadium faithful always wave Terrible Towels.

“It’s awesome to see how it grew from something that was just an ‘every once in a while’ to now a game day staple that sometimes has made a great impact on the game,” Marchinsky said.

Why ‘Renegade’ fits the Steelers’ identity

As Porter noted, “Renegade” has an “electric” pulse that fits perfectly with the identity of the Steelers. The franchise has always emphasized defense and physicality over flash, dating back to the “Steel Curtain” dynasty under Chuck Noll.

“For us, I think it’s just become almost like an anthem for the city in terms of what the Steeler defense actually represents,” Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu said.

Will the Steelers ever change their hype song?

It would be shocking if the Steelers removed “Renegade” from the playlist anytime soon. The tradition continues to excite players and fans alike, and members of the defensive unit in particular never get tired of hearing the Styx tune.

“That’s a song that’s gonna be around forever,” Porter said. “It don’t get old. … Other teams talk about it when they come into the stadium.”