Omen theory quashed

Timothy McNulty

Remain calm. All is well. The last thing anyone needs at an airport is a bad omen.

From the breaking news section of today's PG online:

Fear not, Steelers fans flying to Tampa -- the damage to Franco's helmet is not portending bad things at the Super Bowl.

The facemask on the statue of Franco Harris -- which stands sentry with George Washington in the airside terminal of the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport -- fell off recently, and airport officials are in the process of fixing it. Technicians from the Heinz History Center, which unveiled a similar statue yesterday, are supposed to reattach it soon.

People entering the airport this morning wondered if the statue might have been vandalized by a Ravens or Cardinals fan, but airport spokesman Jeff Martinelli said it commonly suffers bumps and bruises, since so many people pause to take pictures with it.

"We encourage fans to put their arms around the statue and get pictures with Franco," Mr. Martinelli said. "Over the years some of the parts have become a little loose."