Of course it ain’t no secret who I was pulling for in the big game.  My girl/childhood friend Vonda came through and Fed-X’d my gear Saturday delivery from Tampa.  So though I suffered horribly with the flu I was still in full effect with the rest of my terrible towel family.  It was quite a game and quite the experience.  Most Super Bowls are just hype compared to the game.  But this one was like a Tom Clancy suspense novel down to the very end.  With that I will add just a few thoughts.

** Jennifer Hudson (bless her heart) tore that National Anthem to pieces!  I mean she took it to church without the stereotypical churchee flavor if you catch my drift.  My voice quivered as I mumbled to myself, “Damn she sang that song!”  Step aside Whitney! 

** Ben Roethlisberger is a flat out stud.  He played clutch football and whenever his team needed a big play, he delivered.  He may not be pretty or have the style like some of the other big name guys, but there need not be another conversation about the top echelon quarterbacks in the league without his name being mentioned among them.

** Kurt Warner… nothing but respect brother.  You took what the D gave you and wore us out.  You never forced it to Fitzgerald but when the time came you didn’t miss.

** Larry Fitzgerald – all man, all business, all world.  I don’t know that I ever saw a receiver beat a coverage and sprint past the safeties like Usain Bolt.  But I did last night!

** Santonio Holmes – had all the moxie of Fitzgerald and was just clutch all night.  That last catch was all pro and will be featured in Super Bowl films for ages to come.

** Mike Tomlin is a man’s man.  He has a presence and he gets it.  For a second year coach to take a team like the Steelers to the Super Bowl was just a tremendous feat.  He totally gained the respect of the players and the community.  He understands people, his opportunity and he is all business and all human at the same time.  There is no doubt he will continue to gain respect and loyalty as he makes those better around him.

** As intense as that game was, I am glad it ended the way it did.  For all of the talk of the Pittsburgh defense being #1 in the NFL, Arizona found a way to get over.  And right at the end when it counted they scored with the quickness.  It was the Steelers offense that had to deliver and they did.  Did you notice as well that every Steeler touchdown came under review either by a Cardinal challenge or booth review?  The first one they overturned should have been a score as well.

**Finally, The Pittsburgh Steelers,   What an organization!  The Rooney family really has it together.  Since 1969 they’ve had a total of 3 coaches which shows a sense of stability not known in professional sports.  They help enact the Rooney Rule which says that an NFL team has to at least interview a minority coaching candidate when they have an opening.  Then they actually hire a minority candidate at the next opportunity.  They are a shining example that diversity and inclusiveness are a combination destined to succeed.  I am sure that Tomlin was hired because they felt he was the best candidate regardless of his color.  But my point is that it’s not just talk with them.  To Tomlin’s credit he had his presentation together and was able to get with a team steeped with tradition – one of the strongest and most well respected franchises in sports history.  Mr. Rooney didn’t talk himself out of what he saw.  Now they have an unprecedented 6 Super Bowl titles.