THIS WAS US
12 Pittsburgh stories that went viral in 2017
The world’s view of Pittsburgh this year was synthesized through a treasure trove of viral social media posts. Here are some of the stories that started in our city and sparked online frenzies throughout 2017.
No. 1. Republican Congressman Tim Murphy of Upper St. Clair steps down after the Post-Gazette reveals the pro-life legislator urged his mistress to get an abortion.
No. 2. Post-Gazette photographer Steph Chambers captures Major League Baseball umpire John Tumpane saving a woman from committing suicide on the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
No. 3. President Trump declares “I represent Pittsburgh, not Paris,” and Mayor Bill Peduto leads the charge in the backlash over the declaration.
No. 4. The Penguins’ Stanley Cup victory over the Nashville Predators was flooded with fish stories, from a catfish tosser to a catfish biter to a triumphant catfish release.
No. 5. Still developing: Pittsburgh makes the short list for Seattle-based Amazon’s HQ2, and the bid is in.
No. 6. Pittsburgh is at the center of progress toward the everyday use of driverless cars.
No. 7. Before he turns 21, the Steelers’ rookie sensation JuJu Smith Schuster loses and finds his bicycle, and the sigh of relief is heard ‘round the web. No. 8. Anthony Bourdain is spotted dining at the Squirrel Hill Cafe in June. Then, in late October, his “Parts Unknown” series on CNN paints an unflattering portrait of Pittsburgh gentrification. No. 9. While others kneel or lock arms, the Steelers stay off the field during the national anthem. The exception is Lt. Alejandro Villanueva, who later said he had not intended to stand alone and apologized to the team for “a very embarrassing” botching of the Steelers’ pregame plan. The protests began with Colin Kaepernick, who took a knee to protest racial injustice. No. 10. Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore of “This Is Us” come to Pittsburgh to announce the Steelers draft pick. The top-rated NBC show is set in Pittsburgh and was created by Bethel Park native Dan Fogelman.
No. 11. Popular goalie Marc-Andre Fleury bids a tearful goodbye to Pittsburgh and the Penguins and is Knighted in Las Vegas.
No. 12. August Wilson’s work lives on: Among “Fences” four nominations, Viola Davis wins the best actress Oscar for the filmed-in-Pittsburgh movie, while “Jitney” wins Broadway’s Tony Award for best revival.