Jersey Sure

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

Brian Caiazza wondered what call to make.

Pittsburgh trailed Green Bay, 28-25, with four minutes left in Super Bowl XLV. Was this the time to bring his employees into work?

Before he decided, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit James Jones on a 21-yard pass to the Pittsburgh 8. Four plays later, a field goal increased Green Bay’s lead to six points.

Caiazza waited.

“T-shirts are a pretty stressful business,” the owner of New Wilmington-based Cazzco said.

Cazzco specializes in the silk-screening, embroidery and design of garments. On Super Bowl Sunday, the business became a “hot market” contractor for Vanity Fair Clothing, which is licensed to sell NFL merchandise.

“We print for everybody within 100 miles of us that Vanity Fair holds a license to,” Caiazza said. “If the Indians, the Pirates, the Steelers, the Cavs, the Penguins, the Browns ... if any of those people go to a championship game, and Vanity Fair wants to make money on it or wants to sell merchandise, they look to us.

“Guys like us will wait until the win. Basically, the contract is, Vanity Fair gives you the (merchandise), now wait. You’re not allowed to do anything until the game ends.”

A Pittsburgh victory allows Cazzco’s equipment to print NFL-approved, championship T-shirts. As the two-minute warning neared, Vanity Fair’s NFL representative knocked at the door.

He held the holographic stickers that transform a regular garment into league-approved apparel. He attaches a sticker to each T-shirt. They are packaged and delivered to a central hub.

“You’re here at the perfect time,” said Brian’s father, Butch.

Brian Caiazza looked at the newly arrived guest.

“You want me to call everyone in?”

The logo for the championship shirt was made long before the Steelers advanced to the Super Bowl. A blizzard delayed the T-shirts’ arrival from Chicago to Friday. A test run later that day produced four samples.

With the game clock at 1:59, Butch Caiazza took his young grandson’s arms and fashioned them into a touchdown signal.

Days before the game, the elder Caiazza said he had put everything into perspective. A Pittsburgh win would be nice — the company sells products at nationwide events — but if Green Bay comes out on top, that’s OK. At least Dallas isn’t playing, he said.
With 56 seconds left and Pittsburgh facing a fourth-and-5, he changed his mind.

“Oh yes, it’s that important.”

An incomplete pass and Brian Caiazza’s decision had been made.

“It’s been real,” the NFL rep said. A few moments later, he was out the door.

Butch Caiazza, who remained in his chair, smacked his hands.

“It’s so sad,” he said. “Onto the Penguins.”