Click photo to read about Rich Rudek, left, and Jeff Ivey's Excellent Adventure.

Missing Myron
Myron Cope should've waited at least another two years before retiring. The Steelers-Colts playoff game was tailor-made for him!

STEPHEN A. SILVER
Walnut Creek, Calif.

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Polamalu's example
An observation from a Texan.

There were any number of highlights during the Steelers-Colts game, but unfortunately most were focused on the field when the most impressive play was on the sideline.

I know the youth in Pittsburgh will be impressed with the action of the game, but I am more impressed with the action at the Steelers' bench. Troy Polamalu in meditation and prayer after every change of the squads said more to me about Pittsburgh's organization than any simple game winner.

More important was Troy's response and behavior after that unfortunate official call of his interception. Most certainly he was disappointed and a little more than vexed, but I watched his conduct closely to see if his was a religion of faith or fashion. Not a grimace, not a growl, he simply strapped on his helmet and returned to the field to play even harder. I hope the youth of your city realized that this athlete had just won regardless of the scoreboard.

If this is the character of your stars there in Pittsburgh, it most surely is a good place to live.

I must admit I am a fan of another team, but in light of Mr. Polamalu, I will not be disappointed to see the Steelers win. Hopefully he will be the standard for Pittsburgh's upcoming draft.

REV. GRADY SHYTLES
Post, Texas

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Horrible officiating
The Steelers played an incredible game on Sunday beating a heavy favorite on the road. That said I'm having a very difficult time enjoying the win because the officiating was so horrible.

The admission of the blown call helped, but what would have happened had we lost that game? Obviously nothing. It all started with the interference no call on Antwaan Randle El. He was mugged, we all saw it. Then there was the (offsides) do-over. After that the Troy Polamalu Reversal. Followed by and nothing to do with the officials, the Jerome Bettis fumble, the Ben Roethlisberger season saving tackle, concluding with the Mike Vanderjagt miss. Everyone at my house was emotionally drained. The intensity was off the charts.

Normally the emotion felt after such a big win was that of joy and satisfaction, the opportunity to play another game in the quest of a championship.

Unfortunately, for me, there was no such feeling of joy. I could not get over the interception reversal, I felt cheated. To me Polamalu did everything he needed to do to qualify a catch. To have it taken away at that point of the game made me question the integrity of the league. It also made me question whether I wanted to renew my season tickets for next year.

The ball was clearly caught. I was in disbelief, I was livid. And I was not sure if I wanted to be part of the NFL anymore. I'm glad Joey Porter said he felt cheated, I felt cheated, too.

When word came down Monday that the official blew the call and the ensuing apology, well I can live with that. Go Steelers

LARRY PREZIOSO
Mt. Lebanon

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Steelers proud
Hey we are huge Steeler fans in the Air Force writing from down range and we are writing because you guys do the Steelers proud.

We were up until three in the morning watching Ben and the gang hand it to the Colts, our problem is we want the Steelers to know there are about a hundred fans going to be watching this weekend at 0100 and rooting hard core. We haven't had to do PT since the game and are making our own terrible towels just like the fans back in '74. Here we go Steelers!

DEREK SMITH
Cochranton

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Never give up spirits
To the people of Pittsburgh from (formerly) the Big Easy:

I just wanted to take a moment to let the people of Pittsburgh know how lucky they are to have an organization like the Steelers in their fine city. I am a Pittsburgher born and bred, but left the city after graduating from high school. I ultimately landed in New Orleans where I settled and started my career and family. Pittsburgh will always be in my blood (lifelong Steelers and Penguins fan), but my adopted city, New Orleans, was a big part of me and my personality.

August of 2005 changed everything. I lost my home, my job and part of my heart when the hurricane tore apart everything I had worked so hard to build.

I was fortunate that my parents' home in Mississippi was relatively unscathed. My husband, 8-month-old daughter and I moved in with them and started to pick up the pieces of our lives. At this point, the football season was young and the Steelers were having a typical season, but it meant so much to us to be able to gather around the television and forget about the chaos and devastation all around us for just a few hours a week.

It was such an escape to watch a good game and root for my boys in the black and gold, thinking back to the years when my high school team made the state playoffs, and I had the opportunity to cheer on the sidelines of Three Rivers Stadium. (Ages ago, it seems!)

Anyway, what the Steelers team has done for this family is hard to put into words. Especially the last two games. We were jumping and screaming and biting our nails the whole game! The emotional release was incredible and really picked up our spirits for another week of recovery.

To the team: I want to say thank you. Thank you for a great season and for the emotional rebirth you gave to the many fans you have along the gulf coast. You guys play with a "never give up" spirit that we need to see down here right now.

And to the people of Pittsburgh: Thank your lucky stars for this team! In New Orleans we are facing the Saints organization packing up and leaving our city.

ANNA SAVROCK ROBERTSON
Oakmont, Pa.
(currently in limbo between New Orleans and Diamondhead, Miss.)

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May the best team win
First, thank you slaying the media-darling Colts on Sunday. Broncos fans were rooting for your Steelers to beat, finger pointing and cry baby Peyton Manning, and bring the title game to the Mile High City.

Second, Bronco football is to Denver and Colorado what Steelers' football is to Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvannia.

Third, we appreciate and value good football and so does Steeler country. If the Steelers produce an upset my kudos to them and you'll have my full, 100 percent support to beat that other conference and claim your fifth Lombardi Trophy.

Finally, to the victors go the spoils, may the best team win, and the Bronco curtain will close on the Steel.

TIM CULBERTSON
Centennial, Colo.

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Poetry corner

'Twas the day after Saturday, two teams already gone,
The tension was mounting, the play-offs were on!
My father and I, wearing black and gold gear,
Prepared for possibly the game of the year.
It was a rematch of sorts, from an earlier game,
Colts fans were hoping for more of the same.
The Steelers were beaten very badly that day,
Predictions said this game would go the same way.
Steelers and Colts, spit and grime versus glitz,
Indy is "finesse," Pittsburgh is "blitz."
As the game started, my Dad and I gasped,
The Steelers, always running, came out and passed!
Big Ben threw the ball to Heath, Hines and El,
Two touchdowns were scored before the first quarter bell.
The first half ended with us feeling glad,
But anything could happen, predicted my Dad.
The game continued on for what seemed like forever,
Indy finally woke up, like it was now or never.
The Colts scored a touchdown, which gave them a spark,
And the Steelers appeared to put the Bus in park.
But Manning got greedy, and up the middle he passed,
Polamalu intercepted, and rolled through the "grass."
Dad and I cheered, thinking this was the win,
But the ball popped loose, like a struck bowling pin.
Troy dropped on the ball, we yelled, "Stay on the ground!"
Giddy, we cheered, with high-fives all around.
But Dungy didn't believe the catch was for real,
and he asked the refs to find out what was the real deal.
"After further review," we heard the ref say,
"An incomplete pass was on the replay."
"Say, WHAT?!?", we both yelled, trying not to pass out,
"How can that be?", we started to pout.
From that point on, the call took its toll,
The Colts scored more points and went on a roll.
But the clock kept on ticking, time was not on their side,
And the Steelers sacked Manning, turning the tide.
With just over a minute left in the game time,
The 'Burgh had the ball on the Colts 2-yard line!
Dad and I could not believe what we saw,
The Steelers might win this, just hold onto the ball!
The Bus was brought in to put the game to an end,
But, FUMBLE! The Colts recovered and ran to their end.
Nick Harper had the ball, and ran as fast as he could,
And tried to dodge Big Ben, and it looked like he would.
But Ben grabbed his foot and dragged him to the ground,
Preventing a likely game-ending touchdown.
The Colts had new life, and moved right down the field,
But the Pitt defense was able to make them yield.
The teams knew it all would come down to a kick,
Would it be overtime, or be over quick?
We sat there and watched, and I suppressed a shiver,
As my heart beat recklessly, making me quiver.
The kick went up and sailed long and high,
Time seemed to stand still, and I heard my Dad sigh.
But the kick was wide right! The Steelers had won!
And Dad and I screamed, "WE WON! OH, WE WON!"
The Steelers escaped to play Denver next week.
The Super Bowl trophy is still there to seek.
And Dad and I wondered, with the Steelers still alive,
Another week of football, could WE survive?

ERIC FREED
Laurel, Md.

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Just for luck
I just wanted to pass along one of the superstitions that we have been sticking with since this all started.

I said I would not take down my Christmas decorations until the Steelers lost a game. We will without a doubt be celebrating Christmas all year and loving every minute of it. I collect Santa's, so in our minds, the real Santa's are all the Steeler players and coaches.

Go Steelers! Keep up the good work!

PATTI PAVLICA AND RON KAZIMER
Salem Township

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Jeff and Rich's Excellent Adventure (to Indianapolis)

	Jeff Ivey Jeff Ivey, left, and Rich Rudek in front of the RCA Dome with a sign "liberated from some Colts fans after the win." Click photo for larger image.

Jeff Ivey and Rich Rudek are Steelers season ticket holders from Columbus, Ohio. Last week they decided to drive to Indianapolis to attend the AFC division playoff game between the Steelers and Colts.

Mr. Ivey sent this chronicle of their journey to the Steelers Nation fan photo gallery:

It is decided, five minutes after the Bengals game, that a trip to Indy is in order.

Leave Columbus at 7:30 Sunday. No tickets, no contacts, no prospects-only an OSU cooler full of Bud.

See a few Steeler fans heading west on I-70. Decide Indiana is about as exciting a state to drive through as Ohio is.

Pull into Indy. Find a parking spot for $15 just a couple of blocks from the stadium, complete with a very private place to relieve yourself.

Discover bars open at 10:00 a.m. We decide that we'll probably end up watching the game from there.

Discover from an Indy fan that they're nervous about playing the Steelers. They should be.

After a few more Buds, go searching for tickets. Prices range from $150-$300. Decide we'll wait.

Five minutes later, and a full 90 minutes before kick-off, find a guy selling tickets for face value. Buy the tickets with a 90 percent confidence value that they're not fake.

Ask cop where nearest bar is. He actually tells us.

Guy who sold us the tickets chases us down to trade one of the ones he just sold us for another so he can sell that one with an adjoining seat. Feel better about the tickets.

Call everyone we can think of about our luck with tickets.

Go into RCA Dome. Seats are in the end zone, can see everything. The day is getting better.

Discover beer is only $6.50 and they sell Bud Select. Day continues to improve.

Successfully forecast opening pass to Heath Miller and quick handoff to Dan Kreider.

Place is loud-very loud. Gets very quiet when Big Ben drives us to a 14-0 lead.

Make mistake -- go to men's room. Colts score. Rich states I am not allowed to leave my seat again.

Watch punt, pass, and kick competition. Decide not to boo them this year.

Bus scores. It's 21-3. Have discussion about how much it would cost to fly to Denver.

Colts score-21-10. Waves of anxiety appear.

In the single worst call ever, Polamalu's interception is overturned. Conspiracy discussion starts.

Colts score-21-18. This isn't happening.

Steelers have to punt. We again thank the Browns for not re-signing Chris Gardocki. Pins Colts deep.

Joey Porter is apparently invisible to Colts' O-line, sacks Manning again on 4th down. Bedlam ensues among Steeler fans.

Bus fumbles for the first time since 1970. Ben somehow makes tackle on Colt cornerback who had been stabbed by his girlfriend the night before.

Two quick passes and it's looking like overtime. This isn't happening.

Tell Rich that Vanderjagt is probably drunk and will miss kick.

Snap looks high.

He misses. Colt fans resemble how we've looked a million times.

	Jeff Ivey Rich Rudek, left, and Jeff Ivey with their new sign in the RCA Dome. Click photo for larger image.

Confiscate a sign from Colt fan about how they were going to beat the Steelers. Proudly carry it around the stadium.

After leaving bar in Indy, discover we are almost out of gas. Somehow make it to a station.

Convince Rich this isn't a dream. We actually won the game.

Make one final stop in Columbus to make sure it isn't a dream. Get confirmation on ESPN that the final score was 21-18, Steelers.

Wake up Monday and watch highlights again to make sure we still won and the NFL didn't overturn two of our touchdowns or anything.

And that's it.

(Update: Read the newest installment of this Excellent Steeler Adventure.)

More pictures -- and tales -- in the Steelers Nation fan photo gallery.

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