One thing that has surprised me in the lead-up to SBXLV has been all the attention heaped upon the Green Bay Packers.  Deservedly so, mind you, as they are the first NFC 6th Seed to make it this far…painting similarities to the 2005 Steelers – who were the first 6th Seed ever to make it this far.  Then, of course, are the intriguing, feel-good storylines of Aaron Rodgers looking to fully and finally emerge from Brett Favre’s shadow, the storied history of Green Bay, etc.  This is somewhat a pleasant surprise for me, however, as I would imagine that it will serve to fuel the Steelers as they feel like little more than an afterthought coming in.

Conversely, the one thing that has not been as pleasant is what has been focused upon when the media DOES pay attention to the Steelers.  Ben Roethlisberger was repeatedly asked about his off-the-field transgressions (perceived or otherwise).  And his deferring/deflecting said questions have been spun into his unwillingness to “come clean” or proving he has been playing us when he said he was turning over a new leaf...to say nothing of the recent story from Commissioner Goodell suggesting that no Steeler player came to Ben's defense when he was deciding his punishment....which we now know was inaccurate.

Going back to my first thought, the 2010 Steelers actually remind me of the 2005 Seahawks…a top seed who had cruised into SBXL and should have been heralded as the overwhelming favorites – especially against a “just-happy-to-be-here” 6th Seed.  Instead, all of the hype and talk was about the Steelers then-feel-good storylines surrounding Bettis, Cowher and the then somewhat-new Big Ben.

Despite playing the no-respect card and using the same for motivation, the Seahawks lost the game 21-10.  Shortly thereafter, instead of admitting their team left too many plays on the field, fans of the Seahawks cried foul – blaming the refs and even suggesting the game was fixed…like any given WWE match (as was suggested by bloggers like The Seahawk Boys).

The WWE reference gave me pause.  Much like a WWE prospect, the Steelers went through very similar phases in their history.  In their beginning they were jobbers – those that always lose to bolster established/rising stars.  Then they became faces, or “fan favorites” – whom most would cheer for, and would be rewarded with wins here and there….but not quite there yet, often losing to evil heels (villians).  Then they became “main eventers” – the stars, the champs who would hold the gold more often than not.

Eventually, every star in the WWE will “shift alliances” – turning from face to heel.  A heel was the one you love to hate.  Despite the fans booing them, heels would often find a way to win titles…much to the chargin of said booing fans.
At this point in time, what with Roethlisberger’s off-the-field issues and Harrison’s on-the-field ones, it has become more and more apparent that these Steelers have, beit fair or not – beit by design or not, “turned heel” in the eyes of some fans.  It’s quite the incredible irony that the Steelers play this Super Bowl in Dallas – home of the fictional oil tycoon J.R. Ewing…the original “man you love to hate.”

In many cases, a heel will actually embrace their role…playing it to the hilt in order to generate “pop” or “heat” (appropriate fan reaction)…especially if it results in holding the title at the end of the day.  I still remember Super Bowl XXX – where most fans were sick and tired of seeing the brash and arrogant Cowboys winning…and saw the Steelers as the “face” that could finally topple the villains – in much the same way that most fans of today perhaps see the Packers as the ones that could knock Big Ben and company down a peg.

I understand that I am in the apparently very small minority that says the issues with Roethlisberger and Harrison have been overblown.  But in our “perception is the reality” world, I understand that despite the facts, or lack thereof, many feel the evidence is “in.”  That Roethlisberger is a “criminal” and Harrison is a “thug,” and the Steelers, to said fans, have become the very heels they once sought to defeat.

With a third trip to the Super Bowl, Roethlisberger’s legacy as a player really needs no more accolades – despite some insistance to the contrary.  And as far as the need for redemption goes, just being able to hit the ground running after his suspension and lead his team to another Super Bowl has accomplished that in my estimation. 

Also, the Steelers have matched the Cowboys in most appearances and already hold the record for most wins, so the franchise’s legacy is secure regardless of Sunday’s outcome. 

These Steelers really have nothing more to prove.  But that doesn’t mean I don't want them to win, or that they shouldn’t try to win.  With that in mind, maybe it’s time for the Steelers to, in some respects, embrace the heel role.  Perhaps they should ride into Cowboy Stadium donning black hats a-la J.R. Ewing and Hines Ward (did you see him step off the plane the other day - priceless!).  Maybe it might be just the intangible they need to put them over the top. 

Remember, as much as we like the feel-good story as with last year’s Super Bowl, sometimes the clock does strike midnight for Cinderella.  And sometimes, as with SBXXX, “evil” does triumph over “good.”

Big Ben in Big D, with a big D - or Aaron Rodgers starting a new Green Bay Legacy?  We’ll see who triumphs this time…keeping in mind that today’s heel may be tomorrow’s face (or vice versa)….

Good luck, Steelers!

I debated over whether I should wait until after the Super Bowl to write this - perhaps see what happens first before committing. 

Then I saw the story on Fox Sports regarding their top ten worst Super Bowl Moments.  While it was bad enough to have Neil O'Donnell's inexplicable key INTs in SBXXX at #1, what really got me was the following passage at #8 (SBXL):

"Ben Roethlisberger's first career Super Bowl win came with plenty of help -- from his running game, the Steelers' defense and ... the beleaguered officiating crew. It was a tough day for the NFL's zebras (we'll allow them to remain anonymous), who botched several key calls -- leading off with whiffing on Big Ben's phantom go-ahead TD plunge in the second quarter, one which replays clearly showed the Steelers QB never reached the goal line. The officials also helped shut down Seattle's comeback efforts late in the game by ruining what could have been a go-ahead TD drive, first nullifying a huge reception by Seattle TE Jeremy Stevens with a ghost penalty call -- ruining great field position inside Pittsburgh's 5-yard line. Then the next play, Seattle threw an interception, and adding insult to injury, the refs whistled Matt Hasselbeck for his lame attempt at making a tackle on the play -- calling a mysterious personal foul on the QB. We'll never know if some of these calls would have affected the outcome, right? Tell that to Seattle Seahawks fans."

This is the kind of rant I would expect to see (and actually STILL see to this day) on any given "Seahawks got screwed" youtube propaganda video.  To see it in an actual article from a big-name media outlet is disturbing at best.  As if still-disgruntled Seahawk fans needed any more fuel for their eternal flame of crying foul - especially now since their Super Bowl window of opportunity has appeared to close.

And now, the Steelers have a shot at a record sixth Super Bowl title...against another NFC West team as well.  I would say, however, that more could be at stake than history and records.  Yes, Mike Tomlin could become the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl.  Yes, Big Ben Roethlisberger would remove himself from the "one-hit-wonder" list which includes notables like Trent Dilfer.  All of that would be incredible....especially if they can do it against such a high-flying team like Arizona - led by Super Bowl veteran Kurt Warner and former Steeler Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

But with all that said, and if for no other reason, I hope the Steelers win this Sunday so that we can leave those still adamant on saying the Steelers got help from the refs in SBXL to their final coping mechanism.  I have defended my Steelers against many a conspiracy theory....including an infamous "manifesto" penned by a pair calling themselves The Seahawk Boys.  After almost three years, I have come to understand that there are those who may never let go of the manufactured controversy regarding SBXL.

Should Arizona run their improbable table, folks like the Seahawk Boys will undoubtedly post like mad....declaring a Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII loss as the "final proof that their SBXL win was a fluke."  While most rational fans will understand that one has nothing to do with the other, I fear it would indeed re-spark their cries of foul.  If nothing else, they would be all too eager to rub salt in the resultant proverbial wound...perhaps not to the level that most did to the 2007 Patriots, also unwarranted IMO, but significant enough.

But if the Steelers can win this one, it would give the fans of the Black and Gold something more recent than SBXL to reflect on.  I had once mentioned in a Seahawk Boys rebuttal piece I did that the sour grapes being processed by Seahawk fans would diminish once they won a Super Bowl.  While that will not happen this year, perhaps there's a chance for the next best thing:  Steeler Nation moving on with a fresh Lombardi Trophy, and moving away from any perceived need to defend their SBXL victory.  It might at least allow for Seahawk fans to blow off residual steam without arguments, rebuttals, etc. from the other side.  Don't get me wrong, I truly DO sympathize with Seattle fans...note that I also follow the Vikings (losers of FOUR Super Bowls), but enough is enough!

It will obviously be a tough task for the Steelers this Sunday.  I simply hope for the best for not only Steeler fans, but for Seahawk fans as well....because, win or lose, the Steelers aren't the ones who have to face the Cardinals twice next year.

Good luck, Steelers!

Over the course of this season, the majority of football fans have slowly but surely fallen into two main categories:
- Patriot fans
- God-someone-stop-them-from-going-19-0 fans

With each step closer to their goal, the fans of the former have grown more excited - and in many cases more arrogant and abusive toward fans of the latter. Many of them are all but convinced that this Sunday will be more a coronation than a game.

The fans of the latter, meanwhile, have often responded with various arguments as to why the Patriots will not go 19-0. Lately, however, it rings more of desperation than it does conviction. Because up until now, they have had the luxury of time - and at least one more obstacle to put in front of the Patriots. Said luxury ends this Sunday.

If everything stays true to form, fans of the latter (myself included) will have a big steaming bowl of crow they'll have to choke down come Monday morning. Meanwhile, the fans of the former shall be heard again (and again, and again) as they hail their beloved Pats as the greatest team of not only 2007, not only the 2000s - but the best ever. And fans of the latter, even myself with my '75 Steelers, will find it all but impossible to muster up a plausible "ah contraire!"

However, should the impossible happen; should the Giants pull off the greatest upset since their NY counterparts' triumph in SBIII, I will have to ask the NE faithful whether they even remember what crow tastes like. What an incredible coup it would be for die-hard G-Men fans! Even if said upset happens, however, the Pats will still have their perfect regular season (16-0), which may never happen again, and the resultant overall record (18-1) would in my book compare with the 17-0 '72 'Fins, whom I hope will finally be over themselves.

We'll see who will be eating what next week....