Like Franco waving the terrible towel, but where was Bradshaw?
I usually like the anthem played straight up without improv, but I liked the Aretha Franklin part with the chorus.
Random thought- Coretta Scott King and Rosa Parks both were born during segregation, and in the course of their lifetimes, the country changed so much that not only were they honored with a moment of silence in the most watched tv event of the year, but they were followed by a black woman singing the national anthem with a black Secretary of State in attendance.
Go Stillers!
*** Update ***
End 1st Quarter, Seahawks 3, Steelers 0.
Our offense looks flat.
*** Update #2 ***
Halftime, Steelers lead, 7-3.
On the td, it looked to me like the ball crossed the plane when he was in the air, and then was knocked backward. I don’t know what the official rule is, but I will take it.
Stormy70
I found Aretha to be painful to listen to, but the choir was nice.
Gold Star for Robot Boy
Aretha lost her PETA fans with that jacket.
demimondian
Franklin hasn’t aged well. That was such a sad contrast with “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”…
4jkb4ia
Hi
Brian
Very unimpressed with the Steelers after that first drive.
On another note, I just looked at Yahoo’s home page, and they have the score displayed as Seattle 0, DENVER 0.
Hahahaha!
Stormy70
Whopperettes?! I had to hit mute. Ugh!
Supposedly a Pirates of the Caribbean trailer coming up during the Superbowl, according to Ain’t it cool dudes.
Gold Star for Robot Boy
Info onPotC: Dead Man’s Chest.
I’m a sucker for pirate movies. Submarine movies, too.
Gold Star for Robot Boy
That FedEx spot was funny.
Brian
Still unimpressed with the Stillers. Not looking good, John.
demimondian
Whoperettes — yeuch. Unforgettable, though.
Stormy70
Fed Ex – greatness. Liked the bear bud light spot, too. Finally.
Joey
That was a bullshit off. pass interference call. And the best commercial so far is definitely the “Magic Refrigerator”.
Stormy70
Avast, ye maties! Well, just Johnny Depp.
ppGaz
Well, here we go…. that offensive intrference call was BullSHIT. Jesus, the game is rigged for the STeelers.
Absolute bullshit. The guy was simply doing a scramble drill in the end zone, turning around to get the ball. The defender was out of the play at that point.
Barry D
Oops, almost a touchdown.
ppGaz
Well, now you know how WE feel.
:-)
Gregory Markle
I think you’re a bit over the top Brian. So far the Seahawks haven’t exactly shown any stellar superiority either and it’s not like the game is almost over. Last I checked the “doomed” Steelers were down by 3 points with only 3/4 of the game left to go…not exactly the point where one should start making pronouncements.
I’m sure John is on his way to the cardiac unit at the moment though…
Brian
Agreed on the interference call. Weak. Very weak.
Brian
That holding call against Pruitt (Hawks) is another b.s. call. The ref’s are enabling the Steelers, that’s obvious.
Gregory Markle
Yes ppGaz, the defender was out of the play. Yes, the defender had been completely juked off the play. But, also true, is that the receiver stuck out his hand and stiff armed the defender in the end zone. No, it didn’t change the outcome of the play but it still is a penalty.
Joey
It’s weak. You never see that called. I’m not even sure that he had his entire hand on the DB.
guyermo
John, was bradshaw ever actually a Super Bowl MVP?
Paul Wartenberg
Twice. The third and fourth Steelers wins over Dallas and LA.
Paul Wartenberg
Here’s a jinx moment: Steelers are moving the ball now. They’ve actually gotten first downs! I’m stunned…
demimondian
Interception, bay-bee!
Brad R.
Why the hell do they keep calling for those long passes? Jesus Christ.
ppGaz
Not to be outdone by obviously paid-off officials …. the Hawks just made an interception …. a great play. Spectacular.
Brad R.
I could see that interception coming. It just looked like a bad, bad, bad idea from the start.
KC
Interception, John.
Joey
That was a hell of a grab by the DB.
ppGaz
.
Correct. It’s just football. The refs are either working for Cowher, or else they are trying to assert themselves early in the game. In any case, a bullshit call.
Louise
John, don’t forget, the Puppy Bowl is on Animal Planet. You might need to turn over to it occasionally.
Brad R.
Big Ben’s performance has been simply baffling so far. He’s gone for too many long passes that have zero shot of being caught. The running game has been similarly ineffective.
Brad R.
Holy shit, I thought they were gonna crack Randle El’s spine with that hit!
Joey
Christ, I hope Randle El’s okay…
demimondian
That was a scary hit.
KC
Double that.
KC
Steelers, 49 yards.
Brad R.
YEEEEEEEAH, HINES!!!!!!!
Louise
Wow. I thought maybe Ben was having a problem with nerves. Um…no. Wow.
4jkb4ia
*cheer*
The Disenfranchised Voter
What an amazing throw and catch. Looks like the Steelers are about to score!
Brad R.
Hell yes.
ppGaz
Those points are coming off the board. The ball never crossed the plane.
4jkb4ia
A message of several words: this play should be challenged.
Gray
Touchdown for the steelers! I hope that John hasn’t been balancing something on his belly at this moment :D
KC
Hell no. That was a f’n joke. Wonder whose side the refs are on?
ppGaz
Amazing throw and catch? It was a damned Hail Mary pass.
Gray
Hmm, I don’t know the rule – I’m a dumb german. I saw the ball on the line in closeup…does it count???
KC
Joke.
Dave Ruddell
Controversy! I think it was right not to overturn, not so sure about the initial call. Very close.
ppGaz
That does it — this game is a fucking joke.
That ball never crossed the plane. This is bullshit.
Gray
The referee should know the rules – or the cheques. He says touchdown :P
The Disenfranchised Voter
ppGaz, you were half right. The ball didn’t cross the line, but the points didn’t come off the board.
Brian
The ref’s are bought. Have to be after that “review” just now.
The Disenfranchised Voter
and I agree the refs have been making some really bad calls against the seahawks.
This latest one continues that trend.
demimondian
If the referees say so, yes, it counts.
ppGaz
I’m turning on a movie. This game is obviously predetermined. Two completely bullshit calls in this game are 14 points in favor of one team. Fuck this.
Louise
I want the Steelers to win, obviously, but that was not a touchdown.
Bob In Pacifica
Fed Ex commercial. So far.
Stormy, I think I hear your brother running up the stairs.
Gray
Funny, that Roethelisberger guy looks like my buddy, size, face, and beard. Too bad that he never played football, now it’s too late
ppGaz
Well, I wrongly guess that the ref would make the right call on the challenge. He didn’t. There is no frigging way a ref on the field saw that ball cross the plane. No way.
Gray
Now has the ball really to cross or is on the line ok according to rules?
The Disenfranchised Voter
Heh.
ppGaz
Well, it has to cross a plane defined by the leading edge of the goal line.
Nongeophysical Dennis
come ONNNNNN Seahawks,
to put it mildly, things aren’t going your way–you have to stay in bounds on plays like that.
UPDATE: What the hell is with that clock management?!?!?!
4jkb4ia
They had plenty of time if they had not wasted the 30 seconds.
Gray
Now, come on, it’s 3:7, the game is far from over.
Brandon
It should be 7-7. That was an incredibly weak ass PI call against Seattle in the first quarter.
You could honestly call that PI just about every play.
I don’t know that Big Ben didn’t necessarily get in, either. But if he was stopped short, it was at the 1/16th inch line which means they would have gotten in on 4th down anyway.
ppGaz
Yes, it’s close. But it’s hard to win when you have to beat another good team and the refs at the same time.
zzyzx
You can’t complain about the refs in this game. It easily should be 14-3 or so.
On the other hand, we have to make a stop on 3rd and 28.
KC
I don’t know, I’m feeling somewhat disgusted. Did anyone understand why the Seahawks decided to run it with 30 secs left? Then, why did they jostle about so long?
ppGaz
The ABC crew has it right: The Seattle play in the end zone was a touchdown.
All in all, the refs are good for 14 points in favor of Pittsburgh here. Minus seven on the Seattle TD, and plus seven on the fictional Steeler TD.
Hard to win when you spot the other guys 14 points.
The Disenfranchised Voter
LOL.
Brandon
“You can’t complain about the refs in this game.”
If they blow a call, I sure as hell can.
What kind of idiotic logic is this?
CaseyL
No, can’t understand it at all – unless the defensive lineup was totally unexpected, essentially blowing the play before it started.
The calls are b.s. Way too many penalties, esp. holding, are pure judgment call like 75% of the time. It’s a way for the refs to direct or redirect the game, and really sucks.
ppGaz
What game are you watching? Are you a member of the Modell family?
Gray
Didn’t knew they’re playing in Detroit. I saw lots of pictures of ruins and demolished skyscrapers recently. There are still enough people left to fill the arena?
The Disenfranchised Voter
The Stones should have quit long ago.
Seriously.
Kirby
The refs must think their flags are Terrible Towels. It’s pretty clear which team they’re rooting for.
Joey
I’m thinking around ’85 or so. And I don’t think they’re the greatest band either. I’d take the Beatles over them any day of the week. I love “Paint it Black”, but outside of that, I think they’re overrated.
Gray
Hmm, a wrecked band in a wrecked city…it’s a match.
But they still play better than most of those neo-punk bands, Greenday & Co!
CaseyL
Did I hear right, that one of the officials is the same one who infamously blew a call during one of the AFC playoff games? Called something an interception when it wasn’t, or vice versa?
Bob In Pacifica
Hey, who drank that whole box of wine? I just took it out of the fridge!
Gray
“I love “Paint it Black”, but outside of that, I think they’re overrated.”
Don’t forget ‘Under my thumb’! With two really great hits, they’re still 100% better than most of the newcomers :P
Gray
Bob, check if John is around! He trained to gulp down those boxes of wine ggg
Joey
That’s not saying it a lot, haha.
zzyzx
ppgaz – I meant that John can’t complain the way that he did during the Colts game. The Steelers are getting every single break. Still though, we should have stopped the 3rd and 28.
Gray
This version of ‘Satisfaction’ is lousy. Though it seems to hit a chord with the crowd…
The Disenfranchised Voter
Have you ever been to a Green Day concert?
My guess would be no, because if you had, you wouldn’t be saying those words…
Joey
I know people complained about Paul’s show last year, but it beat the hell out of this.
CaseyL
OK, gotta run back to my neighbor’s place.
I’m hoping the Hawks come out plenty pissed off, ready to kick some serious ass.
The Disenfranchised Voter
While the Beatles were/are good, they are overrated. Popularity does not = quality.
The best band from that era, hands down, was the Doors.
ppGaz
Yes, I hate those soggy 3 and very long defenses. But still, Ben threw a hail mary and got lucky.
But … we stopped ’em. The game should be tied at best.
Actually, it should be 10-3 SEA.
John is probably at the ER getting a clot buster …..
Gray
K, TDV, no. Judging by their live performances I saw on TV. Not very impressive…
Paul Wartenberg
This had to have been one of the weakest offensive first halfs since the early 70s.
Pittsburgh just has no running game going to counter their passing attempts. I think the reason Ben was tossing the deep ball was to set up run draws for later, but there’s no sense of balance yet.
Given all that’s happened this season and this postseason, three words: Full. Time. Refs.
Joey
I didn’t say that they were better because of popularity. They were/are just better. Period. Song writing, melodies, everything was better. I’m not a huge fan of the Doors, but I have a ton of respect for them.
Gray
Here in Germany, we had a major soccer referee scandal a few months ago. Were bribed by a betting mafia. Something similar in the US recently?
The Disenfranchised Voter
…
but you just watched the Stones perform didn’t you? How anyone can think they still have “it” is beyond me.
But to each their own.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Likewise with the Beatles for me.
It all comes down to personal preference really. Musical quality is basically subjective.
Gray
Beatles vs. Doors? I’d say, 3:7 :P
Hehe, no, I don’t wanna judge. Both bands had great creative musicians. But Beatles are pop and Doors are rock. Kinda apples and oranges. But I’m a Doors fan.
Joey
Heh, not that we’ve discovered, but I promise you that the Knicks paid the refs during the 1999 playoff series against the Pacers.
Indeed. You can not enjoy those bands, but you have to respect what they do musically. I’m the same way with Joplin and several other bands/musicians from that era. I’m not a fan, but you have to respect their talent.
Gray
“How anyone can think they still have “it” is beyond me.”
I was at a lot of bad concerts of prominent bands. But not recently, maybe something has changed…
Joey
Gray, I’m just curious. Where do you live at in Germany? My dad was in the military, and we used to live in Karlsruhe, near Heidelburg.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Oh don’t get me wrong Gray. I think the current state of music sucks, and their are talented musicians and bands out there, but you have to search for them.
What I took issue with was your lumping Green Day in there with those bands. I wasn’t a huge fan of Green Day but after going to one of their concerts I was literally blown away. I’ve been a fan ever since.
The Disenfranchised Voter
*there are
Joey
I like Green Day. Dookie is one of the better albums I’ve ever heard. But I don’t think that American Idiot is that great. It has it’s moments (When September Ends is very good), but I prefer their older stuff.
Gray
“Heh, not that we’ve discovered”
It was only discovered here because a lot of bets on a result of 2:4 were placed. Now, 6 goals is quite a lot in soccer, and the loosing team had been championed. Turned out that the referee really had to rape the game, normal result would have been 0:2. It was too obvious.
Gray
I’m in Hannover. Maybe you know Expo city 2000 or the Cebit fair?
Hey, touchdown, by the way!!!!!
Craigo
I can’t tell, Seahawks fans. Did it break the plane?
Barry D
John, you can now turn on the TV. Steelrs just got a 75-yard run for another touch-down.
Gray
Wow, really impressive, new record! As a smoker, I couldn’t run 75 yards without additional oxygen :D
Joey
Oh, okay. Central Germany, right?
Gray
I do remember that teams managed to overcome worse problems than just being 11 points behind. Didn’t the peckers do it once?
Gray
Yup, that’s central to northwest Germany. But Germany isn’t so big, it’s an hour from Hamburg, two hours from Berlin and 5 hours from Munich with a good car on a normal day
Bob In Pacifica
I guess Mick took his Motrin today.
Paul Wartenberg
Damn every time I say something the Steelers go and ruin it for me. I said their running game was weak, boom they run a 75-yard TD on me. That tears it. Okay, lemme just say that the Steelers’ pass defense has been doing great and will continue to keep Seattle, esp. Joe Jurevicius, out of the end zone…
Joey
I really want to go back one day. I was young when we lived there, so I don’t remember much. I’ve had an interest in their history and culture for as long as I can remember. I’m taking German now in college (Our high school didn’t have it. I took Japanese, heh), so if I ever do go back I’ll be able to get my way around. By the way, that was some awful linebacking by the ‘Hawks on that Parker run.
4jkb4ia
The score should now be 10-7 barring all the referee shenanigans.
4jkb4ia
Having the opportunity to learn Japanese in high school is really cool. I am sorry I forgot all the Chinese I ever knew.
Joey
Yeah, it is pretty cool to be able to write in it. Unfortunatley, I’ve forgotten a lot of the vocab, though it comes back to me every now and then (usually when I’m drunk/drinking. I don’t know why, but it makes for interesting times with my Japanese friends). It was definitely one of the better classes I’ve ever taken, depending upon the teacher.
Gray
Hmm, dunno enough to see the details of linebacking, but it sure isn’t the day of that Hawks kicker…
4jkb4ia
Good catch and run.
Joey
Man, the running game is starting to be a killer for the Steelers…
KC
“They can run the ball, but they can’t finish the deal.”
John Madden, calling it like it is for the Seahawks.
Gray
Dang, I like Seattle, my dad has been there lots of time working for Honeywell and brought back lots of pictures. But it doesn’t look good for their Seahawks now…
Gray
Interception! Hey!!!
Joey
Damn, now that’s a turn around and a half.
KC
Yeah!
4jkb4ia
And momentum could be going the other way…
Gray
Now there’s your touchdown! 10:14, it’s looking better again
Joey
Minimum of a ten point swing. I don’t particularly care who wins, but this is turning into a hell of a game.
ppGaz
NOW we’ve got a game.
Gray
I just heard that the Seahawks coach had won the superbowl with the Packers. When was that?
Steve
Like 10 years ago, with Brett Favre…
Joey
Super Bowl XXXI. Desmond Howard won the MVP as a return man.
KC
Can Seattle only catch when it comes from the opposing team? Joke, obviously, but it seems like it keeps popping into my head a little too much.
Gray
Hmm, I remember watching a superbowl on TV where the Packers won, maybe that was the same game…
Gray
Yeah, strange, that Stevens guy. He catches the pass for touchdown, then he drops this easy (?) one…
Joey
Probably. They lost their only other recent Super Bowl trip to Denver.
Gray
OK, offensive time for the Hawks and 2:55 on the clock…
Gray
Now what happened???? What are they doin?????
KC
What?!?
Gray
Hmm, the Hawks don’t really fly right now…
ppGaz
Sorry … a phantom holding call in the 4th quarter of a close Super Bowl game?
This is bullshit. This game is bullshit.
Brad R.
I like Ike.
ppGaz
You know what, if this is supposed to be a courtesy game for the goddam Steelers, just say so and cut the crap. Just give them the goddam trophy now and get it over with.
This is bullcrap.
Gray
KC, I was looking at the wrong screen when the 81 screwed up and lost lots of yards. And now interception….
This game is all ups and downs…
Gray
“a phantom holding call”???
I dunno much about the rules, but Locklear sure screwed up. He was holding.
KC
ppGaz,
You’re exactly on the mark there. That holding call was utter horseshit, seriously. Madden said he didn’t see any holding either. The refs must really feel the Steelers need a handicap or something.
Brandon
This will officially go down as the most one sided game in Super Bowl history in terms of history.
Hasselback tries to tackle the ball carrier and he gets flagged for blocking below the waist?
Unbelievable.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Correction we HAD a game. I kind of hope the Seahawks win now because we won’t hear the end of it (and rightly so) if the Steelers win.
Brad R.
Best. Gadget. Play. Ever.
ppGaz
“Bad call” according to the ABC crew.
“Bad call” on ensuing penalty too.
“Bad call” on the OPI on the Hawks’ first (taken away) touchdown.
All according to the ABC crew, not me.
How many “bad calls” do the frigging Steelers get in this game?
This is just complete bullshit.
KC
I feel disgusted right now.
Louise
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Damn, I LOVE that play. And he threw it perfectly, on the run. Yes!
Joey
Atta boy Randle El! I’m kinda with ppgaz and KC though. I think I want Seattle to win just because of the officiating.
Gray
Hmmm, 10:21, time for a shot of Malt….
MAX HATS
What is up with the referees? Does anyone thinks this is fair?
A Seattle victory is going to be, after normalization for blown calls, equivilant to a Seattle blowout.
UPDATE: Congradulations, Steelers, on your second real touchdown.
Can’t believe this.
4jkb4ia
Stunned at the officials.
Gray
PPGaz, good call on german TV. But what do they know about football? However, this is so 5 min ago…
ppGaz
This is the worst-officiated football game I have ever seen, and I have seen some doozies in my day. I mean, I go back to frigging Y.A. Tittle, guys. Seriously. John Brodie to Gene Washington. This is the worst.
Sam
If I was a Steelers fan, I’d be thankful that the Steelers have replaced the Colts in the team that the NFL most obviously wants to win. That’s at least four awful calls this game, all against the Seahawks. Any title won this way is tainted beyond belief. And nobody in the media will care because the Seahawks are a West Coast team.
Louise
I do agree that the officiating has sucked. It’s taken me from pre-game excitement to feeling “meh” (despite a great gadget play). I can see how that would translate to WTF??? if I had any feeling at all for Seattle.
Brandon
Granted, if Seattle had made all of their FG’s and had not had any drops, this might not be an issue.
As it were, even John, Tim, and every member of the Black and Gold nation have to admit the officiating in this game has been utterly atrocious.
It’s an embarrassment for the NFL.
KC
How much are those refs making “on the side”? Just wondering.
Gray
What? Fumble????????????
Dave Ruddell
I try to keep an open mind about such things, ya know, but…
This officiating is bullshit. And I’m cheering for the Steelers. Actually, I’d think for real Steelers fans (as opposed to someone who made up his mind who to pull for about an hour before the game) this kinda sucks, because when (if) they win, it will be tainted. Ah well, I think John will take it. If they win. There’s still time left.
In addition, I had the Steelers winning 21-17 in the pool, so I’d like to see Seattle get one more TD.
Ooooh, fumble controversy?
Bob Smith
Every one realizes that the score is 31 -7 Seahawks if the refs hadn’t been bought, right?
ppGaz
Another absolutely blown call. Down by contact, blown.
KC
Can you imagine that? Ball goes to the Steelers.
demimondian
Whatever happened to “the ground cannot cause a fumble”?
Dave Ruddell
Nah, he got touched on the way down. That’ll get reversed. If it doesn’t, I’ll have to agree that this is fixed (which I don’t believe for a minute, BTW).
Gray
refs aren’t expensive. One of those bribed german refs made about 100k in games where the betting mafia cashed millions…
Brandon
If they don’t reverse this call, they might as well stop playing right now and not even hand out a Lombardi trophy.
Dave Ruddell
That’s only the case if you go to the ground by contact, since by definition you are then down, and the play is over.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Heh heh.
Like I said, I kind of hope the Seahawks win just so I don’t have to deal/hear the constant arguing that is going to our about the officiating.
Though, it seems that even people who really want the Steelers to win are admitting the offciating is horribly biased against the Seahawks.
KC
Wow. First good call of the game.
ppGaz
Nothing. It can’t. Call reversed. So they got one right. But only after a damned challenge.
Gray
K, call reversed. But why did this take so long?
The Disenfranchised Voter
Why was it even ruled a fumble is the better question.
Dave Ruddell
If you’re running along free and clear, trip over your shoelaces, hit the ground and drop the ball, you better believe it’s a fumble.
Gray
That’s what I wanted to say
Joey
I actually don’t have a problem with that. Better to let the play run and get it right on a challenge then to blow a questionable play dead and not allow a challenge. It was obviously not a fumble though.
Gray
OK, now I know why they call thewm Blitzburghers…
The Disenfranchised Voter
I see your point Joey, but like you said, it was obviously not a fumble…
zzyzx
What sucks is that this would be a game for the ages if it were being called fairly.
I hope the Steelers vote the refs a share.
Hey, anyone want to bet that John’s, “I would be mad if this happened to any team”‘s anger won’t kick in here?
ppGaz
Right. In that case, the play is not over when the ball hits the ground. In the typical case (such as our blown call) the play is over when the knee or elbow hits the ground after contact by a defender. That’s when “the ground cannot cause a fumble.”
Anyway, this thing is about over. The officials have worn down their opponents and time is running out.
Dave Ruddell
Hey, it just occured to me; can somebody check if John is still alive? I mean, there’s a decent chance he’s had an aneurysm or MI or something by now.
4jkb4ia
Possible Democratic strategy: compare Alito to these officials :)
ats
Am I alone in lurking here just to see if John has the gall to complain about the offiiciating tonight.
I like the Steelers, mind you, but . . . .
The Disenfranchised Voter
I wouldn’t be surprised. John’s pretty vilgilant when it comes to people getting a fair shake.
Brandon
Number 86 for Pittsburgh gets away with holding on the edge.
Imagine that.
Dave Ruddell
How about another fun game: how much (total) will Seahawks players and coaches be fined by the league for ragging the refs after the game?
zzyzx
I’m just stunned. 30 years of waiting and the refs decide that Bettis deserves a ring because he’s a nice guy or something.
The Disenfranchised Voter
I thought about that theory myself, and the fact that you are feeling the win is tainted then it only further solidifies it.
carpeicthus
I admit I’m following the game on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XL
Web 2.0, I am your bitch.
Gray
these last seconds are really depressing…
Louise
How about another fun game: how much (total) will Seahawks players and coaches be fined by the league for ragging the refs after the game?
I was just thinking that some of Seahawk defenders must be sitting on the sidelines checking their bank accounts to see how much they’re willing to pay to complain.
I’m happy for Bill, I really, really am. I’ve been a fan of his for years. I wanted this for him. But I’m sorry the officiating was so screwy.
KC
Nice smiles. I’ll bet some of the refs are smiling too.
Joey
I’m happy for Randle El, christ knows he never won anything at IU, but damn… The officiating was really terrible. This hasn’t been a good playoffs for NFL officiating.
Louise
Don’t forget what Pittsburgh did to get to this point. History-making post-season. They earned their place here and they stepped up their game in the second half.
And I love Bill.
Mac Buckets
If I were a Seattle fan, I’d never stop being pissed about the most unevenly-called Super Bowl in history. Every single call went against them all game, and it was still a game in the fourth (Most preposterous of the dozen or so: illegal chop block for tackling a guy? seriously. Most damaging: the bad holding call on the pass to Stevens down to the one yard line — Seattle would’ve gone ahead).
But I’m not a Seattle fan, so congrats, Steelers — glad Bettis and Cowher got theirs.
I know how you feel, Hawks fans — Renfro’s feet were in.
Dave Ruddell
How funny is to see all this GM bling at Ford field?
And Bettis is done? Can’t say that I’m shocked.
Vladi G
Pittsburgh definitely got their money’s worth.
DougJ
I agree Mac — the officiating was awful. I’m glad the Steelers won and they might have anyway (maybe it’s even fair to say probably would have anyway), but it’s too bad the officiating was so bad.
Grisha
OK, I was going for the Steelers & all since they’re in the AFC (even though Seattle is really an AFC team too), but was it really necessary to break Marcus Allen’s longest-Super-Bowl-rushing-play record by one goddamned yard on a mediocre running play that Parker just got a lucky hole on? I mean…tasteless, just…tasteless
Gray_
Hmm, at least an interesting game. And it will be cause for discussions for many years to come. Sports illustrated cite the discussion between Holmgren and the ref: “It wasn’t even close.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/football/nfl/specials/playoffs/2005/02/05/seahawks.sider.ap/index.html
Off topic: Any Problems with the balloonsite? Terrible slow connection right now…
CaseyL
Oh, the humanity; the poor, poor humanity.
I’m glad John won’t slide into a slough of despond, but honest to god that was a crooked game with officiating so bent that the methane-breathers on Europa are yelling and throwing Cheetohs at their TVs.
John Redworth
John,
I want to say congratulations on your team’s big win… I am sure that right now you have downed your third bottle of sparkling cider and really can’t remember if today is Sunday or not… While I might disagree with some of the calls it does not matter… the Steelers were destined to win…
Congrats again and is it even possible to go for one on the other hand next?
Mac Buckets
Ouch, now ESPN is saying that Jacksons catch at the pylon should’ve been a TD by law, as well. Evidently, if you kick the pylon, that kicking foot is supposed to be ruled inbounds. Jackson clearly got one foot in and kicked the pylon with the other foot before it landed.
Pittsburgh should FedEx the Lombardi trophy back to the NFL office, if they had the class. I’ve never seen any game with a four TD swing (Seattle fans might say five, with the obvious no-call for delay just before Pittsburgh’s flea-flicker) on bad calls before, much less a Super Bowl.
This was a total disgrace. This season is ruined for me — it will always be an asterisk.
profbacon
was the ref on par with those commie bastards at the 1972 Olympic US/USSR basketball game?
Mr Furious
Nice job by your boys. Congratulations, as a Pats fan I know exactly how you feel right now. Since I’m an AFC guy, I was pulling for the Steelers, a team I always respect and enjoy. Nice ending for Bettis as well. A guy I also respect and enjoy.
Savor it, it is sweet.
The Disenfranchised Voter
LOL!
Mike Quinlivan
Congrats my friend, congrats.
Mike Quinlivan
Congrats my friend, congrats.
DonnieJ
1979 was long ago, wasn’t it? Congratulations Steelers!!!
jpok
When will Seattle ever get any respect? I was bright red by halftime, and must have been purple by the end.
So much horseshit. A travesty of officiating. This game should not have even been close.
DonnieJ
We’ve waited a long old time for this-I love you Bill Cowher-Thank you Steelers!
DonnieJ
Steelers won…I Love yinz..Alla yinz!
DonnieJ
You too John Cole! I love you for lovin the boyz! G damn! dude! We won!! We f’n won!
DonnieJ
I love you, in of course you sre s dude. aaaaaaaaaaaaaOur Steelers won,
platosearwax
The officiating sucked (and I was rooting for my second favorite team the Steelers) but this was really a game of who played worse and made the most mistakes. I think it comes down to the fact that the Steelers were better coached.
Anyway, congrats John. Hope you are alive. I need to find out if my brother survived.
Jeremy
Enjoy the victory, I really wish the zebras had actually called a fair game, but I’m guessing that the Seahawks would have found a way to lose it anyhow.
Tequila
Seriously, you Seachicken backers need to get a grip.
The holding call — just because Madden says he doesn’t see holding doesn’t make it so. Clearly the OT is holding Haggans back with only one arm, with a hand under a shoulder pad. Sometimes this gets called, sometimes not. Grow up — no one made Hasselback toss the INT that followed.
The Hasselback chop block — this has been called against the Steelers before, this very season. You cannot take out a blocker’s knees in an attempt to make a tackle.
The OPI in the first quarter — the WR clearly extends his arm and pushes Chris Hope. Not a hard push but he clearly affects Hope’s trajectory to the ball and ensures Hope can’t make a play for a pick. Bonus: he does this right in front of a ref. Easy call.
Note to Seahawk fans: completing a bunch of dump passes and getting first downs between the 30-yard markers doesn’t mean your team is awarded points. Did you know this?
The reasons why you lost: your team could not finish drives, your team could not handle elementary clock management, your QB threw a game-turning pick, and your defense let Willie Parker and Hines Ward get past them on two key plays. That’s pretty much it.
Bob In Pacifica
Once every couple of years I watch a game and think, yeah, the refs fixed this one. This is one of them. Too bad, too. It could’ve been a pretty good game.
Halffasthero
I am betting Mr. Cole is a bit hungover this morning.
Just a guess.
Sam
Tequilla,
Same calls go against the Steelers and you’d be livid. At least be honest about it. Three weeks ago, everybody said the Colts had gotten favorable calls. Three weeks later and it happens to the Steelers and everybody who was shouting before now stays silent.
Tequila
Sam — No.
The Seahawks have a legitimate gripe on Ben’s touchdown flop. I seriously doubt he got in and I rewound and watched that play several times.
What irks me is that some Seahawk backers think that this would have been a blowout if only the right calls went their way. No way. Take a clue from Lofa Tatupu’s postgame interview, and all the other Seahawk players whose comments I’ve seen. I actually really like the ‘Hawks — they seem like a class group of players, Mr. Non-MVP notwithstanding (if you want to see a guy who got robbed, see Tiki Barber), especially Hasselbeck and the defensive guys.
zzyzx
I don’t think the Hawks would have blown out the Steelers with the breaks evening out, but I’d say that the chances of us winning the game would have gone up from 10% to about 50-60%.
With the calls the way they happened, the Seahawks would have had to play a perfect game against a really good team in order to win. We didn’t play perfectly (dropped some passes, DJ couldn’t stay in bounds, missed some FGs), so we didn’t.
When the neutral press starts asking questions though, it’s obvious that the refs had a bad game. It happened in the Colts game for the Steelers (and I was one of the people questioning that call and wondering what was up), and it happened here.
It might be that football, like basketball, is now impossible to officate and games will become more random.
Sam
What irks me is both called back touchdown passes.
1. Not pass interference. That is an absolutely attrocious call. Again, had the situation been reversed, Steelers fans would be rioting in the street. It’d at least be nice if they’d admit such.
2. I don’t think the receiver was out of bounds on the second catch. One foot in, the other foot hits the pilon, which is considered part of the field. Why Holmgren (who ought to be shot for his “performance”) didn’t appeal that call is beyond me. (Unless maybe he can’t call for review?)
The point is that if Steelers fans genuinely expected sympathy after the Colts game, they should at least be willing to ACKNOWLEDGE that some awfully questionable calls went their way. (Holding? No horse-collar tackle? Come on.)
Tequila
Also, let’s be clear that the Colts call was far worse than anything that happened last night. It changed the result of the game from a definite Steelers win upon the Pola pick to a life-extending lifeline for the Colts. It was also blatantly, obviously, wrong — which neither the holding call nor the Ben TD are. The OPI is actually just the ref enforcing the rule.
4jkb4ia
John! Please be alive!
Sstarr
Watching this game from Seattle, I have to say the officiating may or may not have been biased, but because the calls always came at critical moments when the momentum was about to swing in Seattle’s favor it’s hard to shake the feeling that the refs had it out for us. I also theink the fact that Seattle was generally playing at or above Pittsburg’s level with the exception of two big plays makes the defeat hard to take. Of course, it’s the big play that makes the super bowl victory.
The only call that was completely inexcusable was the Matt Hasselback tackle. It was a great tackle. I have no idea why the ref thought it was a “block.”
Anyway, congratulations Steelers! Now I just hope Seattle doesn’t implode like the last NFC team to lose the super bowl….
4jkb4ia
It is true that we wouldn’t be talking about the holding call if the Steelers hadn’t taken advantage of it. OTOH, after I saw the replay I knew the Ben touchdown was wrong, and I have to rely on the announcers for all my rule interpretations.
4jkb4ia
Also, I generally trust OPI calls. DPI calls, following Tom Boswell, are always suspicious, as is any touchdown that results from one.
J-Smith
The calls yesterday make up for the officiating against Indianapolis, etc., etc. Like they say, “Some days you get the elevator, some days you get the shaft.” Sunday was the Stillers’ day on the elevator.
4jkb4ia
Seattle should not implode. Seattle will probably keep their entire coaching staff for next year :)
4jkb4ia
Seattle was also not as heavy a favorite in this game as the Rams were in theirs.
Sam
J-Smith,
The refs owe the Colts those bad calls, not the Seahawks. What absolutely terrible logic. Why punish the Seahawks? Good lord.
Tequila
Trust me, the Steelers did not force that bad Hasselbeck throw. That was an awful pass, proven by the fact that Ike Taylor actually caught the ball instead of it clanging gently off his hands as usually occurs with softball interceptions. Proof being, of course, the Hasselbeck softball that came his way in the first quarter which hit Ike square in the palms.
If the Steelers had lost, I’m sure a lot of whiners on my side would be bitching about Jerramy Stevens’ first “drop,” which was actually a catch-take-two-steps-get-hit-drop-ball type of incomplete pass, or the pretty obvious block in the back on Roethlisberger that would have brought the Herndon INT return back at least 15 yards back from where it was spotted.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Agreed. But also whatever your feelings on this issue are you cannot possibly think it is reasonable to say the refs owed the Steelers…
That’s just ridiculous.
Sam
I don’t think that refs should ever even considering OWING teams calls – what I’m saying is that if we’re going to use that logic, let’s at least apply it fairly. As opposed to what JSmith was proposing.
The Disenfranchised Voter
Gotcha.
skip
“The refs owe the Colts those bad calls, not the Seahawks. What absolutely terrible logic. Why punish the Seahawks? Good lord.”
Hey, but it has worked out so well with the Palestinians and the Germans!
DougJ
Ouch, now ESPN is saying that Jacksons catch at the pylon should’ve been a TD by law, as well. Evidently, if you kick the pylon, that kicking foot is supposed to be ruled inbounds.
Got a link for this? I’m curious to read this rule.
J-Smith
What I was saying (not proposing anything) was that one week you get bad calls, next week you get good calls. Probability doesn’t spread it out as fairly as this:
Maybe because it was just the Seahawks turn. They threw the cubes and came up snake-eyes. Happens.
Next season, the Colts may get some bad calls and Seattle some good ones.