CINCINNATI — From sea to shining sea, football season across this country always seems to have the same color scheme.

Amber waves of grain, purple mountains’ majesty … and a human sea of Black & Gold.

It doesn’t matter if it’s Baltimore or San Diego, New York or Dallas, Cleveland or Minnesota, only one city’s fans travel with their favorite football team in droves.

“It’s Steelers fans, definitely,” Al Schwartz said.

The Neshannock Township resident was among the thousands of Black & Gold faithful to make the trip to Cincinnati over the weekend to witness Pittsburgh’s 31-17 victory over the Bengals in a wild card contest at Paul Brown Stadium.

Schwartz and his group of friends paid $190, off eBay, for tickets that had a face value of $80.

“It's well worth it for a victory,” Schwartz said.

Few could argue with Schwartz that Pittsburgh fans travel well. They have received national attention from a variety of broadcasters for their loyalty, and any fan watching TV can see — or hear — for themselves how well they represent at most every away game.

Steelers fans are always out in full force on the road in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Baltimore. It’s hard to miss them twirling their towels en masse or staying to serenade their road warriors after a triumph.

The question is, why? Why are Pittsburgh fans so devoted to their team and willing to follow them anywhere?

“We’re alcoholics, just trying to get away from our wives,” said Tim Gray of New Wilmington, eliciting laughter from his tailgating friends a few hours before kickoff. “It’s really just a lot of fun, partying with all these people from back home.”

Schwartz had a more fanatical reason.

“It’s those four Super Bowls,” he said, “and we’re all waiting for the fifth.”

In order to get tickets, visiting fans often have to rely on fans of the home team to sell their seats in search of a buck.

That makes sense — and cents — to some Cincinnati fans.