A Pittsburgh Constant

These days, it feels like Sidney Crosby is constantly achieving new milestones, moving up different lists while moving along in his Hall of Fame career.

The humble person and teammate that he is, Crosby has never particularly enjoyed talking about them, preferring to go about his business without fanfare.

But every now and then, you can tell when one is particularly meaningful to Crosby. Like passing the Pirates’ Willie Stargell (21 seasons) as the longest-tenured athlete in Pittsburgh sports history as Crosby begins his 22^nd campaign with the Penguins.

“Obviously, it's a pretty historic sports town,” Crosby said. “How much pride that people have in sports, appreciate the fact that we've had athletes here in the city that have played for long periods of time for teams here. I think that's something to be proud of, for sure. It goes by super fast, but definitely happy.”

Crosby mentioned that pride when he made his way around town for season ticket deliveries earlier this month.

During the drive, we asked Crosby what he enjoyed about Pittsburgh’s culture, having lived here for over two decades. The Nova Scotia native said that from the day he arrived in the City of Champions shortly after being drafted first overall, what stood out most was their love for the Penguins, Pirates, Steelers, and all the other teams in town. It still does to this day.

“That's something that I had heard about before even arriving here, and then to come here and experience it and be a part of it and live it, I think it's something that you feel as an athlete here,” Crosby said. “The people are amazing, and just to be in a place that has so much pride in its sports teams, I think means a lot to anyone who gets to play here.

“There's a lot of cities that have multiple sports teams, but I think for anyone who comes to Pittsburgh, I think they see how much that sports are kind of woven into the culture here to what people take so much pride in.”

The people of Pittsburgh take so much pride in having Crosby, now the longest-tenured captain in NHL history at 20 seasons, represent their hockey team and city. He is the consummate teammate, captain and ambassador, not to mention one of the all-time greats across all of sports.

With all that Crosby has done and accomplished, people want to know what keeps him going. A few years back, Bryan Trottier - who won six Stanley Cups as a player, including two with Pittsburgh in 1991 and '92 – had it pretty well figured out.

"I think he's a special kid in the sense that he finds the pure joy of the game," Trottier said. "I think that is the 8-year-old in him that is the consummate rink rat.”

Yesterday, Crosby, who turned 39 in August, confirmed that his passion for the game and being part of a team continue to drive him.

“Ultimately, every night, you step on the ice trying to win hockey games. That's something that I think provides a lot of fire and energy for me,” Crosby said. “With those first games, regardless of how many years you've played, there's always a different feeling for those first games of the season. That still feels the same way.

“It doesn't always work out that way that you win. It's only one team that wins at the end of the year. I think just being a part of the group, having a goal in mind, and trying to achieve it.”

It's a similar feeling for Crosby's friends and brothers Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, who are now tied with Stargell's 21 seasons. They are the longest-tenured trio of teammates in the history of major North American professional sports, and appreciate 

"It’s a special thing that’s never been done before," Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas said. "I don’t know that it’ll ever happen again. No. 1, for players to play that long. And then, No. 2, play all together in the same city for the same team. And it’s a very special bond that they have.

"It’s something that shouldn’t be taken for granted because it can’t go on forever. ... It’s something that I don’t think can ever be recreated."