One for the Other Thumb

For the second time in four years…for the second time in my life…for the sixth time in history…the Pittsburgh Steelers are Super Bowl champions.

With one hand already full of Super Bowl rings, the Rooneys had to move to hand number two after February 1, 2009. As Nathaniel Buck first put it, this was the one for the other thumb. Within this post I archive the game from my perspective. Enjoy kids…Daddy is writing this for you.

First Half

As the game began, I was confident. The Steelers quickly went up 10-0, and it seemed as though my dreams of a domination of the Cardinals was to come true. Our offense was clicking, though just as I did in the regular season I had to question Bruce Arians at the goal line. Still, a 10 point lead had me feeling good about the flow of the game to that point.

The Cardinals score a touchdown. Suddenly the defense does not look so fierce. Warner, as he did the entire game, made a great throw. Seemingly seconds later the Cardinals are back in the red zone as the half is about to close.

The Cardinals are likely going to take the lead as they sit on the 2 yard line with a 1st and goal. The best we can do is go into the locker room tied at 10. The single most important play of the game happens, but it is not made by Kurt Warner. No, rather the towering line backer who will wake up Cardinals fans for many sleepless nights to come. It was the undrafted, four time roster cut. The one who refused to quit on his NFL career, and who at this moment of football history also chose not to quit…for 100 yards.

James. Harrison.

The defensive player of the year showed exactly why he deserves every single letter of that title. After stepping in front of Anquan Boldin with precise timing, Harrison batted down the ball and prevented a Cardinals score.

Wait a second. I believe it went a little differently. After stepping in front of Anquan Boldin with precise timing, Harrison picked off Warner and quickly ran out of bounds to preserve the Pittsburgh lead.

Oh, wait. After stepping in front of Anquan Boldin with precise timing, Harrison picked off Warner and RETURNED THE BALL 100 YARDS FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!

The magnitude of this play cannot be overstated. Not only is it a potential 14 point swing (preventing the Cardinals from getting 7, and getting 7 of our own), but dear readers we must recall that James Harrison is a linebacker. He is not a nimble safety like Troy Polamalu. He is a 242 lb. tank of power that runs (read: gets held) at most 10 yards per play. He now holds the record for the longest play in Super Bowl history.

This is one of the greatest plays in the entire history of football. There is no argument to the contrary. It is one the most athletic, improbable, and exciting plays I have ever seen. I have not even mentioned the fact that Harrison also had to overcome Larry Fitzgerald, who clearly ran unforced out of bounds then re-entered the field of play (read: illegal) to attempt the tackle. I say attempt because rather than making the tackle he was ridden like a boogie board into the end zone.

Speaking of the University of Pittsburgh’s own, I was also pleased with the containment of Fitzgerald in the first half. Unfortunately Whisenhunt & Co. figured out the Steelers were not covering the middle of the field in the second.

Second Half

After getting Mr. Harrison some much needed oxygen, the Steelers quickly got back to business. James Farrior forced Warner to fumble, and the Steelers took the ball back. The Cardinals defense was stingy this particular trip the red zone, as the Steelers were unable to get the touchdown even with six shots. This is where I have to question Bruce Arians heavily. For the second straight postseason he has elected to run a bootleg with Roethlisberger on a critical third down when the Steelers needed 5 yards or more (see: vs. Jacksonville 2008).

The only good news was that I was able to successfully start a roaring chant of “Jeff Reed’s Toe! Jeff Reed’s Toe” as reliable numero tres booted it through the uprights.

The fourth quarter is trickling away when suddenly Larry Fitzgerald catches fire. With about ten minutes left he ignites Arizona, essentially doing all the work himself. That includes the absolutely unbelievable touchdown catch (turn around Ike!) where Fitzgerald showed the world he has some of the best hands in the NFL. Unfortunately for the former Panther star, even this theatrical catch would be outdone later in the game.

The Cardinals then pin the Steelers deep within their own territory…deep as in 2 inches outside the end zone. It is 3rd down. Roethlisberger steps back…and completes to Santonio Holmes for a huge conversion! Flags fly however, and holding is called against center Justin Hartwig.

Let me be abundantly clear about this. If you are being quite literally run over, you are doing everything in your power to get away. There is no stage of panic in which one would say, “Let me pull this 300+ pound being towards me as I lay here. Maybe I can use momentum to have him crush my ribcage even more quickly than gravity alone would allow.” Holding is beyond unlikely. It is nearly impossible.

Regardless, after a bit of critique of the officiating, something scary happened. For the first time, I doubt. For the first time I wonder how I will respond if the Steelers do not win. The questions just grow louder as Fitzgerald burns through the secondary for another touchdown in the fourth quarter. I can barely hear Al Michaels’ commentary slowly making its way through my ear canal. Even if my hearing was at its finest I would not have heard anything…at that point the entire city was silent.

But as any good health book tells us, losing one sense enhances all the others. And it was with clear vision that I watched Ben Roethlisberger shed tackle after tackle and dodge sack after sack. With every converted 3rd down the smell of the end zone wafted through my nostrils with an intensity that overcame every last jalapeño and cheese blend on the table in front of me. As I gripped my Terrible Towel, my fingers felt the ball in my grasp with each one of Roethlisberger’s pump fakes.

And finally, as Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger completed his final pass of the game, I tasted victory.

I realize “The Drive” is already taken by another number 7, but this unnamed march down the field was just as much a showcase of a talent. Each time Ben found Santonio Holmes for a completion, his confidence doubled. With each pump fake he not only shook off the safeties but every one of his doubters. As he released the best throw of the game (sorry, Kurt) and trusted Holmes to make the catch of the game (sorry, Larry) he left no question where he stands among quarterbacks. His jersey might say number 7, but as of February 1, 2009, Roethlisberger is number 1.

Final Thoughts

Seeing Polamalu in the backfield for the victory formation was almost enough to bring a tear to my eye. There was plenty of emotion down on the field as well, from both teams. As Santonio received the Super Bowl MVP award (and in every interview since) he passed credit to Ben. Ben in turn gave a shout-out to his offensive line, which if you have followed the Steelers this season should impress you to the highest degree.

I also must take a moment to congratulate the Arizona Cardinals on an amazing season. They too proved many doubters wrong and gave Pittsburgh a true test in this game. The way they overcame their first half troubles speaks a lot about their players and the quality of their coaches. While on the subject I must mention that suggesting Kurt Warner is not a Hall of Fame player is simply absurd. This man has taken the St. Louis Rams (twice) and the Arizona Cardinals to Super Bowls. He has a strangle-hold on the yardage records in the Super Bowl. He is absolutely a lock for Canton.

However Super Bowl XLIII was not his game. And just as Sunday night belonged to Pittsburgh, it was still in Tampa. As the Steelers return home today for their victory parade, the city gets to celebrate its heroes and congratulate them on a job well done. And while I made sure that I was in Pittsburgh for the game, I will not be in attendance as the Lombardi Trophy makes its way down Forbes Avenue. So let me instead take this opportunity to congratulate to my team.

Thank you, Pittsburgh Steelers, for giving your all and making February 1, 2009, a night I will never, ever forget.