Here We Go (Again)
The title, borrowed from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, perfectly captures feelings of history and the near future. This past weekend the Pittsburgh Steelers punched their ticket to Superbowl XLIII. Along with a heavy dose of excitement for their next game, that brings back memories of just a few short years ago.
I was a senior in high school when the Steelers won Superbowl XL on February 5, 2006. Years after the fact I still get giddy watching highlights. When clips from that game show up on television, most of my friends will be able to predict my exact response. This is due to the fact that I have been using the same one since the day of the actual game.
My Terrible Towel commemorating Superbowl XL
Willie Parker’s NFL record 75-yard touchdown run? “He is so fast!”
Roethlisberger’s huge pass to Hines Ward? “Wait for Ben to look back…THERE!”
Randle El’s touchdown pass? “That was the best pass of the game…watch the block by Ben!”
After the game more memories were formed. Going down Forbes Avenue hanging out of a Honda CR-V while waving a Terrible Towel would stick in your mind forever. In my case while I was doing such another gentleman jumped into our car to join me from the other window and screamed,
“Tonight there are no rules…tonight…WE RULE THE CITY!”
Now that is something I will never forget. It is not often I get to rule an entire city with an angry mob. Wherever you are Mr. Steelers Anarchist, thank you.
Behind the crowd of fans, you can see the mentioned CR-V my group was traveling within.
And it is with those memories of the amazing plays, the pizza and chips, and the celebrating with friends (and complete strangers) that my excitement for Superbowl XLIII reaches its peak. The excitement from watching the game with friends and fellow fans, especially at the Superbowl level, is just unmatchable. As I noted in a previous post, being a Steelers fan is about more than just football.
Then again, it is a lot about football. The Steelers’ accomplishments during the regular season are truly remarkable considering the circumstances. Early in the season we lost our first round draft choice Rashard Mendenhall who was brought in as a complement to running back Willie Parker. There were injury scares on Election Eve when backup QB Byron Leftwich stepped in to ensure a Steelers victory.
Let us not forget that the Steelers played an absolutely monstrous schedule this season, number one toughest in the NFL in fact. Getting twelve wins is impressive in itself, but getting twelve with that schedule just seemed impossible at the start of the season. There were several hard losses this year though, including the Giants game after which every other NFL team made sure at least two players were able to snap the ball. Oh well, I guess he made up for it later.
James Harrison was just one of a ferocious defense however. The league’s number one overall defense was simply unbelievable this season. Had they played starters the entire game against Cleveland in the last matchup of the season, the team would have had the first 1/1/1 defense in NFL history: first against the rush, pass, and overall yards per game. Minnesota came up a few yards better in rushing yards per game, but Pittsburgh made it happen when it counted in the playoffs.
I am dreaming about the possibility of another Superbowl.
And now we are off to Tampa in search of the franchise’s sixth ring. Ironically head coach Mike Tomlin will be facing Whisenhunt, who is wearing a ring from XL he got while coordinating for the Steelers. Can a second year head coach (and the youngest to reach the Superbowl) finish the job in Florida? Will the defense be able to clamp down on the receiving duo of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin?
Will the fans once again get to rule the city?
In two weeks, we will find out. Go Steelers.
8 Comments
i hope so because it is awesome being one of only a handful of steelers fans here in NC, especially because i have been talking so much trash. we need a big performance out of ben however. thankfully he has been playing really well this playoff season. fitzgerald will get his touchdown and 100 yards, but if we can keep him to just that we will win. i guarantee our DBs are getting in so much practice these two weeks.
Go Steelers.
Go Wake.
It still has barely sunk in that we are in fact back in the Superbowl. This is our generations 1970′s. As long as we have Big Ben, and our defense continues to be solid year in and year out we will continue to be contenders. I still get goosebumps thinking about winning XL, that it is seriously hard for me to think that we are just four quarters away from “Ruling the city” again. It really is an amazing feeling.
Also, I guarantee if it was between Wake winning March Madness and the Steelers winning the Superbowl, Mark would pick Wake.
Oakland rioted after the AFC Championship, I can only imagine the insanity that could take place after SB43. The key to the game is going to be our run game, no question. We can’t let Ben run the whole show. If we can get Fast Will going early and often, I see me screaming “We Rule the City” from the steps of the Cathedral of Learning. It’s going to be an amazing night. Go Steelers!
Ps- just because I’m a jerk, this is something I didn’t know as well though. “Superbowl” should actually be spelled “Super Bowl.” It’s 2 words. I recently had an argument with TJ that it was all one word and he proved me wrong, I don’t want anyone else to feel that kind of shame.
go cardinals
Josh, you are a jerk. I actually was wondering if it was “Superbowl”, or in fact Super Bowl. I’m happy that it’s settled now. Thanks for letting us know. I do feel shame now though, Justin, please edit my spelling in previous posts, then delete this post. Also, edit Josh’s as well and spell his “Soup or Bowl”.
@Josh Over the years I think I have alternated between the space/non-space. Thank you for the clarification though.
I think a key in the game is going to be our run game. Against Baltimore I would consider our run game a success even with the low total of yards. Why? Even though Parker never broke off a major run, we kept the Baltimore defense guessing. Without that balance we never would have had the pass opportunities, though the best example of this would be the one Limas Sweed dropped.
On a related note, get well soon, Hines Ward.
i would pick wake.
also xane’s comment made me laugh out loud because it is so stupid and predictable. me and one of my good friends down here have a bet going that if the steelers win he has to wear 3D glasses to class and if the cardinals win I have too. future monetary bets will also be made.
tomorrow will blow tho because no games.
Comments are closed.