Four days before a memorable Super Bowl XL performance, the Pittsburgh Steelers -- coaches, players, and the entire franchise cadre -- were together. Not at a practice. Not at a team meeting, nor at a public appearance. Instead, they sat, likely comfortably wrapped around a table in the warm confines of the Bettis family residence in the suburbs of Detroit. And, at least for that time, I like to imagine that Johnnie Bettis -- proud father and devoted husband -- was genuinely happy.

I didn't have the pleasure of meeting any of the family, as much as I would have enjoyed the experience. I never attended a Steelers football game for as long as Jerome Bettis has played for the organization. But yet, some part of me idolizes a man who attended, with the accompaniment of his wife, each-and-every football game that his son ever participated in -- from junior-varsity to national-league, Johnnie and Gladys were there for their son. In fact, in amongst the plethora of unforgettable images of Super Bowl XL, once will find a photograph depicting Mrs. Bettis in tears, not long after seeing her son win his first-and-only Super Bowl Championship.

But what I wonder the most is how much time Jerome was able to encapsulate with his father, as a result of his retirement following Super Bowl XL. Insofar that I can hope, Bettis himself appreciated the companionship of his father, and the devotion that he showed to his son. In a country of accruing divorse and born-out-of-wedlock children, that final year of the quintessential moments was ever-important, although saddeningly brief. I hope they enjoyed that time together.

As Mr. Bettis' heart took its final beats, he had the presence of mind to pull his vehicle out of the line of oncoming traffic, as to avoid any further damage. And as he did, a succession of passer-bys rushed to his assistance, not because he was the father of their football-idol, but to administer CPR, to assist in any way in prolonging the life o####entleman who was in peril. Although Mr. Bettis passed away today, he did so not in vain -- or so I'd like to imagine -- but rest-assured that he'd seen his son succeed and prevail. He'd seen all the football that was to be played by Jerome Bettis.

And that was all that mattered.