SUPERBOWL XL - DAWN OF THE STEELERS' DESTINY
February 5th 2006: snow had blanketed Detroit and a large area around the city.
Umm… I began to consider the logistics of getting downtown. The shuttle appeared to be the best idea so I set off for the airport, where I had been told the shuttle was running from although I hadn’t been convinced from reading all the city guides.
Little did I realise that yet another challenge was going to be presented to me at the start of Super Bowl Sunday. I took the hotel shuttle to the airport and then asked where it was that I could take the downtown shuttle.
Every reply was negative. It appeared there was no shuttle from the airport to downtown.
Umm… that was a complete waste of time and effort. I rang Ed while marooned at the airport and decided that a taxi to Pat’s was the best idea. Join up with Sheri and Ed and then rock ‘n roll! Ford Field – here we all come.
Not only was it Ed and Sheri going to the game, but Sheri’s brother Brad and his nephew David, who had travelled up from Dallas, now joined us for the excellent taxi service that Pat and Trish were operating.
After taking lunch at a local diner, it was onto the final leg of the long journey that had begun on September 11th when the Steelers beat the Titans for their first win of the 2005 season.
With roads near the stadium closed to traffic, Pat and Trish dropped us about a mile away and we then decided to walk to the nearest bar. Umm… you wouldn’t think that was going to present a problem, would you?
Hockeyworld had been designated as the Steelers fans’ headquarters, but it proved a mite difficult to get into. The queue was enormous so we moved on with the faint expectation that we would find somewhere less packed. Some hope.
We eventually tried queuing outside another establishment, but the queue moved slowly and there were vague threats by the doorman of introducing a $20 cover charge. Is that what being an entrepreneur means? Taking advantage of the fans.
I love the neighbourliness of Steelers football fans. Faced with adversity, their inventiveness always rises to the top. While we were queuing and waiting to pay the threatened cover charge, a young Steelers fan came outside and took our order. It was a complete surprise to us all, but a very welcome gesture.
The gates opened at 1400, four hours before kickoff, but it made a lot of sense to venture forth, out of the cold.
As you’ve noticed on this web site, I enjoy taking a photo, or two. It makes a lot of sense not to worry about the copyright on any images I might use so that’s why I take some many.
Armed with my new toy that had done so well in the regular season, I was concerned that cameras with lenses that were over 6 inches were not allowed into the stadium.
My Canon’s was 5 inches, but did extend to 7 inches so would it pass the test? I knew camera bags were not allowed so that stayed in the hotel, but should I just take the wide angle lens or risk the telephoto one as well?
The queue was very long and progress was slow as people wound their way via the railings through a body search and then through the X ray screen and metal detector.
I initially tried to hide the lens, but suddenly realised it was metallic so might show up as a blunt instrument. I decided to go for it and just nonchalantly followed the crowds towards the security search.
The signs were not looking too healthy. I noticed a girl going berserk because the stewards wouldn’t allow her camera bag in. For anyone who took the time to check the web site, they would have known about the restrictions, but she really was an unhappy bunny.
While I was worrying about my camera, Ed hit trouble over his bum bag. They were not prepared to let it through. It was declared to be too big.
They called the supervisor over to review Ed’s purse. When Ed suggested that he had checked on the web site and that bags of this size were allowed, the supervisor pull his own list out of his pocket and made the call: not allowed.
Standing behind Ed while this discussion was going on, I was getting really wound up about losing my lens. There was no way that I could hide it in the small container they gave us to hold loose change and anything metallic in.
My camera looked huge, completely enveloping the container. Moment of truth but an opportunity taken.
With the focus entirely on Ed, they just waved me through. Relief for me, but continuing stress for him.
In the end Ed confirmed that bags of that size could go through if carried by a lady, but not if carried by a man. Go figure that. When an unhappy Ed asked a lady if she would carry it through for him, she agreed. End of Ed’s trauma while Gordon was strolling away, camera in hand.
Ford Field. It’s a mighty fine stadium with great facilities and a wide variety of foods and beers. I tried to get the first round in, but was carded. At my age, the girl asked to see my ID before she would serve me a beer? Fortunately Ed came to my rescue as I don’t carry my passport around with me.
After taking on refreshments, Ed and I did a tour of the lower section, stopping to greet his friends every few yards – or so it seemed. Was there anyone left in Pittsburgh?
The fans were buzzing. Anticipating nothing but a Steelers' win.
Ed decided to call his mom and how important that call became for me. While he was speaking to mom, I happened to take a look out onto the field. The Steelers were out practicing. Umm… Just another Kodak moment or two…
I was later standing with Sheri outside their seats were and dang me, Steven Melvin from the UK walked passed. Well, almost. I managed to stop him in his tracks. Steve had joined us on several trips previously with the UK Black & Gold that included Super Bowl XXX. It was great to see that he had made it over.
Sheri wanted her photo taken inside the stadium and I wish I had changed the lens. Not having a camera bag was giving me hassle because I was struggling to get the wide-angle lens out of my pocket.
I eventually got to my seat. The crowd was getting pumped up. The place was alive with anticipation. The Seahawks’ fan sitting in front of me was more boisterous than most. Very animated, but very slow in sitting back into his “expensive seat.” Although he expressed it in a slightly more profane manner than that.
I found myself sitting in between three Steelers’ fans from Ohio. Jeff Chapa and Alan Donatelli were to my left and Nobu Akiyoshi, who seemed to take even more photos than me, on my right.
The whole stadium was a mass of black and gold and here I was in good company. It’s one thing to see your team win, but to share the experience with fellow fans was just outstanding.
The game begins. Ben looks a bit off and Willie doesn’t get many yards. The excitable Seahawks fan in front is now in his element and giving the Steelers’ abuse.
One Steeler player is shining though. Hines Ward is stepping up. The Steelers sneak a halftime lead and things are not looking too bad. The Steelers were subdued, but in front.
The Seahawks’ fan in front had made two very vocal points in the first half. The first was their kicker never missed. Umm… wide right if I recall correctly. Then, wide left. That's right, the Seahawks' kicker can't miss.
Because he struggled for his yards in the first half, the Seahawks' fan ranted that Willie Parker was too short and couldn’t run.
Don’t you just love it when it’s even bigger payback time! Second play of the third quarter, Willie makes a Super Bowl record run of 75 yards and increase his team’s lead. Sure he can’t run…
The Steelers are now comfortably in front although a few nails may have been bitten by the end of the game.
Ten years previously I had been at Super Bowl XXX and seen the Steelers lose. I won’t mention the two interceptions that cost the team a chance of victory. I vividly remember the long, slow, miserable walk down the hill from Tempe stadium after the game had finished.
This time the ending would be different. The Steelers were going to win. I’m like, gob smacked. The supreme effort to get to the game had its reward. I was there when the Steelers got their one for the thumb.
Now what’s the new theme for Steelers' fans; six of the best? Not sure that expression has crossed the Atlantic yet, but the phrase fits snugly into place.
It was great to watch Max Starks celebrate by coming down to the corner nearest to us to enjoy the festivities with his family and friends. And the proverbial dousing of coach Cowher with the drum of Gatorade.
All great Super Bowl moments, captured on camera to share with the best football fans in the world.
Wave after wave of black and gold swamped the stadium while the podium was hauled into the arena ready for the world champions to accept the Lombardi trophy for the first time in twenty five years.
Dan Rooney and Bill Cowher rightly take their place, Cowher frantically waving a Terrible Towel in all his joy.
Steelers’ fans were certainly happy. Overcome with relief and excitement. The wait was finally over… the one for the thumb was now firmly in place. We could forget about Neil O’Donnell and get that loss to the Cowboys right out of our system.
Every Steelers’ fan stayed in their seats as the presentations were made. I asked my new friends to pose for a photo. As I was taking the photo (should have changed that lens again), a fan walked by and said that I should get the most valuable fan award for the way that I handled the Seahawks' fan.
And don’t forget Nobuyuki Akiyoshi who was sitting on the other side of me, snapping away. Can you believe that he was also from Ohio?
Umm… praise indeed. It wasn’t just me. The support that I had Alan and Jeff was just marvellous. Hope to meet you guys again in Cleveland sometime.
It took a long time for me to meet up with Ed and Sheri as thousand upon thousands of Steelers’ fans joyously exited the stadium, but using exits in the opposite direction to where I wanted to head. I was attempting to go against the tide, but gave up as the happy throng engulfed me in a sea of high spirits.
“Here we go Steelers, here we go!” echoed around the girders inside the stadium as the triumphant fans celebrated the victory.
As we ventured outside, there was an immediate reminder of the bitter weather that had been part an integral part of the occasion. Fighting our way against the freezing wind, we eventually found a bar with enough room for us to squeeze into.
A final opportunity to bathe in the team’s success at the end of another great chapter in the Steelers’ history.