TOPLESS SKI: Reddick shreds Alta Zero
I didn’t even want to bet. It was late September, and the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots—my team—were decimated by injuries and off to a horrible start. The Steelers, meanwhile, were on a roll that would eventually lead to their first NFL championship since the old Steel Curtain days of the 70s. But photo editor/creative director Reddick wasn’t having it. Perhaps because we watched the 2005 AFC championship game (a Pats victory over the Steelers) together in the same Vegas hotel room, possibly because I gloated while taking 5 bucks off him in a side bet on whether Jerome Betis could convert a 4th and 1.
“C’mon, dude. Weis already bet me a run with no hat, no gloves, no goggles,” he snarled.
“I think the Steelers are going to win,” I replied.
“What kind of faith is that,” he started in. “What happened to ‘Super Bowl champs?’ What happened to ‘Dynasty?’” he continued on with verbal attacks on my manhood, Tom Brady’s sexuality, and the honor of the region of New England until finally I relented.
“Ok, one run… topless. No jacket, no poly-pro, true nipple deep.” It was on, and as always with our inter-office bets, the winner picks the time and place.
The rest is history. While the Steelers rolled to the Super Bowl title, they hit a few speed bumps along the way, including a 23-20 loss on September 25 to the New England Patriots.
There’s no question that Reddick would ski naked if it assured the Steelers would win another Lombardi trophy. So on March 1, 2006 he never hesitated in stripping off his parka in the blowing winds of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and, with two dozen industry peeps watching from the bottom, flashed a line down Alta Zero faster than a $10 lap dance. When it was over, in true Black and Gold fashion, he dried himself off with an authentic Terrible Towel.