PITTSBURGH - Over a quarter of a million black and gold faithful filled downtown Pittsburgh yesterday in a raucous celebration of the fifth world championship for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it began on a rancorous note when host Garrison Keillor was booed off the stage by rowdy fans. Keillor, the celebrated author and popular host of National Public Radio's Prairie Home Companion, attempted to entertain the crowd by recounting a tale of his Minnesota childhood involving former Chicago Bears running back Red Grange, a Guernsey cow and three bales of hay. Putting his finger to his mouth with one hand and gently flapping his other arm up and down, Keillor began his monologue, only to be repeatedly interrupted by threats, obscenities and imprecations relating to the sexual appetites of his mother. At that point, Keillor threw his script into the air and tossed his microphone to the ground before storming off the stage. Steeler Victory Rally co-host Hugh Downs begged Keillor to return, but to no avail. Downs emceed the rest of the rally by himself. Keillor issued a statement later in the day saying that he "regretted not being able to finish [his] anecdote, because it was wry and winsome. And if there's one thing a good victory rally needs, it's an anecdote that is wry and winsome." Keillor also said he only agreed to host the rally as a favor to his close friend Steeler linebacker Joey Porter. "Joey always has my back when we hit the clubs," said Keillor. "Now we're even."
