Where Does Pittsburgh Rank Among Best Football Towns?

Peyton Manning was recently quoted as saying Jim Irsay made Indianapolis into a "football town". With the passing of the legendary Colts owner, others have jumped into the discussion of some other great football environments across the NFL map.

NBC's Mike Florio and Chris Simms followed a draft format where the insiders took turns picking their best football towns in America and finishing with a top 3.

History. Fans. Climate. Personal anecdotes. Any and all criteria was in play.

What city went first?

Simms got first dibs, choosing Philadelphia largely because of the passion shown by fans.

With Florio's first pick, he chose the home of the Steelers, Pittsburgh, PA. He grew up on the east side of West Virginia, just over an hour drive away from the Steel City.

"I have been in and around Pittsburgh for my entire life," Florio said. "Pittsburgh is the ultimate football town."

"Think of all the great quarterbacks that have come out of Western Pennsylvania. When you grow up in this area, especially in the 70s, it's like 'Oh (expletive), what am I going to do when I grow up? I got two choices -- work in a steel mill or work in a coal mine. Which death do I prefer? Or I can get out. How do I get out? Football, that's how I get out.'"

Of course, Pittsburgh is also home to the MLB's Pirates and NHL's Penguins - two stories franchises in their own right.

But the Steelers have a pretty good track record, too. And in terms of passion, the city lives and breathes Steelers football unlike any other team, regardless of their current record.

"The Steelers are the heart and soul of Pittsburgh, there's nothing like it. If you're in the stadium, fourth quarter when they're playing 'Renegade' -- nothing like it," Florio added.

"So, Pittsburgh is just the ultimate football town."

Here's how their full boards looked:

Simms: Philadelphia, Chicago, Buffalo

Florio: Pittsburgh, Green Bay, St. Louis