Justin Bieber and some of the Pittsburgh Steelers bonded over a team Bible study session on Saturday.
But while Arthur Moats, Bruce Gradkowski, Cam Heyward, and Matt Spaeth looked pretty delighted to see the Biebs at the Bible study , reaction elsewhere saw grumbles from sport sites and fear from some Steelers fans that Sunday’s game was jinxed.
Foreshadowing?
In fact, Bieber has been on a religious retreat since last month, seemingly triggered by his recent split from Selena Gomez .
The 20-year-old superstar stayed with his friend, Pastor Carl Lentz of the New York City Hillsong Church, while he attended church services in the last week of October. Then, the Canadian joined The City Church’s Pastor Judah Smith’s “Jesus Is” tour for a few days.
Great to meet @justinbieber tonight at chapel! Thanks for coming! pic.twitter.com/0wNuTzEG8z
— Bruce Gradkowski (@bgradkowski5) November 9, 2014
The sight of Bieber and Gradowski together produced this response from a reporter on Twitter.
Ben throws six picks tomorrow. RT @bgradkowski5 : Great to meet @justinbieber tonight at chapel! Thanks for coming! pic.twitter.com/miF7GJYYfc
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) November 9, 2014
The contrast with the curmudgeons and the actual team’s reaction to meeting Bieber is hard to miss.
Didn’t know he was a steelers fan, but welcome to steelernation @justinbieber pic.twitter.com/5Fktaq329D
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) November 9, 2014
Just met @justinbieber at Steelers Bible study tonight! pic.twitter.com/AhRkDST77Z
— Arthur Moats (@dabody52) November 9, 2014
Most sport sites that aren’t aware of Bieber’s current bible study and church visits have griped about the “Boyfriend” singer’s infamous support of different teams in the past, and accused him of jumping on the Steelers bandwagon because of recent game success.
But, if the team themselves were happy to meet Bieber…
Just try telling that to these guys.
That’s the last time Justin Bieber visits the Steelers! #BlameBieber
— Steeler Chick (@SteelerChickPGH) November 9, 2014
What other way to explain the Steelers-Jets game than…Justin Bieber.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2014
Really hoping Justin Bieber showing up at @steelers bible study is not a momentum killer. #SteelersNation
— Tommy Maddox (@tommymad8) November 9, 2014
BREAKING NFL NEWS don’t let #JustinBieber meet w/your team the night before a game #justsayin #BeiberCurse #Steelers
— GARY BROWN (@NewsVP) November 9, 2014
With Bieber jumping on Steelers bandwagon, play all your Jets in fantasy tomorrow. Steelers guaranteed to lose now.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) November 9, 2014
My steelers are definitely gonna lose tomorrow. Just saw that the team was hanging with Justin freakin Bieber tonight. Holy hell. #CmonMan
— Steve Wheatcroft (@wheatiePGA) November 9, 2014
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses on Twitter claim Bieber attended church in Montclair, New Jersey, over the weekend.
@justinbieber was at my church today, wish I could’ve gotten a picture with him
— alyssa torres (@alyssadtorres) November 9, 2014
@justinbieber saw you at church this morning lol
— brittany rusznak (@brittanybroken3) November 9, 2014
Hey @justinbieber ! It was cool seeing you in church today. You’re awesome x
— american idiot (@melanies0616) November 9, 2014
Perhaps Bieber put in a prayer for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Sadly, they lost to the New York Jets 20-13 and Steelers fans are blaming the singer.
[ Images via Twitter /Instagram. ]