Mr. Furious passed along this ESPN blog entry (I can’t believe there was something on the web about the Steelers or the Super Bowl that I missed):
But let me tell you a story.
I have a friend named Ellen Shafer, and she knows nothing about football. A few months ago, she traveled to Pittsburgh to see a play; while she was there, Ellen went to a restaurant with a British woman who knows even less about football than she does. They found themselves seated directly next to a man and a woman who were polite and soft-spoken; the man was swarthy, handsome, and had very long hair.
Much to Ellen’s surprise, strangers constantly walked up to this unknown man and asked for his autograph. At first, Ellen assumed this person must be a rock star; he looked a little like Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. But after awhile, Ellen deduced this fellow must be a professional football player, because so many of his admirers mentioned admiration for his ability to hit people with extreme prejudice.
Eventually, Ellen introduced herself. “I have no idea who you are,” she said, “but your wife has amazing shoes.” This statement made the long-haired man very happy. He introduced himself: He said his name was Troy Polamalu.
For the next hour, these four people made casual conversation, never discussing sports or celebrity. Ellen found him to be amazingly friendly and relentlessly humble.
Eventually, the long-haired man (and his wife) exited the restaurant. Ellen and her friend chatted about how affable the pair had been, and how cool it was that Mr. Polamalu had seem so legitimately interested in their own boring lives.
Ellen and her friend signaled the waiter for the check, curious about how much money they owed. But when the waiter came over to their table, he told them everything was taken care of: The long-haired stranger had quietly paid the totality of their bill.
Now, I realize Troy Polamalu is rich. And I realize that — to him — this encounter probably means nothing. He might not even remember that it happened. But I’m rooting for the Steelers. And I’m rooting for them for the same reason I skipped the Maxim party: Humanity deserves respect, rockers.
Classy kid.
Finally, via Jim Henley, comes this piece with former NFL official Jerry Markbreit (Bug Me Not) explaining some of the ‘controversial’ calls:
Near the end of the first half of the Super Bowl, the Seahawk receiver was ruled out of bounds. On replay, he gets his left foot in and his right shin grazes the pylon, it actually starts falling before his left leg kicks it. Is this not a touchdown? –Dan, Ashburn, Va.
The rule states that a receiver must get both feet inbounds with the ball in his possession to complete a catch. In the play in question, his left foot did get in, but the second foot hit the pylon, which is out of bounds in the end zone; thus, making the play an incomplete pass. These are very tight plays and this one was ruled correctly by the onfield official and confirmed by the replay official, which is why the play was not challenged from the replay booth.
Glad that is finally settled. Also, this great news:
After having a good visit Wednesday with Raiders boss Al Davis, Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt informed the Raiders that he would stay with the Steelers.
That music you hear in the background? The Hallelujah chorus. I didn’t want the offense and Ben to have to get used to a new coordinator, and losing Ron Earhardt after Super Bowl XXX really hurt the Steelers in the short run, I think.
Additionally, here is a link to pictures of all previous Super Bowl rings. It seems that since 1997, they no longer have the team name around the edges, and instead just have “world Champions.” I wonder why.
Bob In Pacifica
So?
cd6
Awesome news: Ken Whisenhunt has turned down the raiders job and is staying with teh steelers
SeesThroughIt
Glad to hear Wisenhunt is staying on board. But I live in Oakland, so I probably shouldn’t say that too loudly.
Caleb
YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Wiz stays.
Back to back, baby.
:-)
MattM
The first blog entry is by Chuck Klosterman. I’d heartily recommend his book “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs.”
Ezert
Here’s how dumb I can be. As I was reading this I kept wondering who the story was about. “Who has long hair and looks like Kirk Hammett” I kept wondering.
Now that is bringing the stupid big time.
Big time.
Uberweiss
Troy is an amazing man. He is the type of person that you would love to have your kids look up and strive to be like him.
John,
I was just as worried about Wisenhunt leaving as you and I am just as excited that he is staying. We sign a couple of our free agents, I am pulling for Hope, and we have probably one the best chances or repeating.
Remember: The Steelers always seem to win these things in twos.
ppGaz
You’ve got to be kidding me.
This is like some guy who works at the Department of Sanitation put up a blog about his favorite football team. Smarmy and over the top, yet you’d give him some room because, you know, how many chances will this guy get in his life to have this much fun and get attention? Probably some guy who goes the game naked in a snowstorm and paints his face in the Steeler colors.
(I’ll be putting up pictures of my Golf-N-Games 1978 Air Hockey Championship at my site. )
But, uh, no, it’s …not …. the …sanitation …. guy.
The Other Steve
Man, that’s so much nicer to read that story, than one about football players trying to have sex with waitresses on a tour boat.
And the Vikings wonder why they don’t have a strong fan base…
Kimmitt
I actually disagree; that’s a nice little story about Polamalu.
Tequila
My favorite Polamalu moment happened in the first Bengals game when the Steelers destroyed Cincinnati. Carson Palmer and Pola were roommates in college and apparently remain great friends, but when Palmer threw a pick during the game to Chris Hope, you can definitely make out Pola making a beeline straight for Palmer and crushing him with a massive block. This follows up Pola’s pick of Palmer last season, when he made sure to run over Palmer on the way to the end zone. Maybe Palmer skipped on cleaning the bathroom back @ SC?
Uberweiss
What the hell is your problem ppGAZ? If you think it is stupid and don’t give a shit about it then why would you read it and post something. Is it just to get some attention? You may think it is stupid and pointless but you know some people who read this are actually interested. Football is a big deal around here, especially just after the Steelers won the Super Bowl, and people want to read about it. If it doesn’t interest you then ignore it. This is not your site.