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PrintLetters from the Steelers Nation, including an update on Rich and Jeff's Excellent Adventure.
The AFC Championship
Congrats to the Steelers. However, I advise subdued celebrations.
I lived in the 'Burg in 1995 and remember the painful mourning period that I endured after Neil O'Donnell's adventures against Dallas.
This time I hope they can go to the Motor City and get the job done.
PAUL DAVID TAYLOR
Denver
As a Kansas City Chiefs fan I want to congratulate the Steelers and the great city of Pittsburgh on going to Super Bowl XL. For all the AFC and the city of Pittsburgh, win the whole thing.
JOE GIANGROSSO
Kansas City, Mo.
Hats off to your Steelers' flawless play in Denver. Outstanding! Pledging my support for the Steelers in the Superbowl. Go Bus! Go Ben ! Go win this thing!
JIM MITRISIN
Camino, Calif.
In reference to the Playoff Mailbag, I'd like to address George Maines on his letter. While I and many others agree that we all love blowout victories in the Steelers favor, you must take into consideration that defenses do in fact fatigue after being on the field most of a game. That is exactly why we gain most of our rushing yards later in the game. Don't be fooled by our victory in Indianapolis. We won because of an excellent game plan and excellent execution of that game plan. We didn't win simply because we passed the ball. Look, anyone can "classify" the Steelers as a running team, but [Bill] Cowher and his staff have proven that a superb game plan coupled with identical execution are the keys to victory. Did you expect the Steelers to come out throwing? Neither did Indianapolis.
MICHAEL E. BELCHER
Monroe, Mich.
I'm a lifelong Steeler fan from Alabama. [Terry] Bradshaw won Super Bowl XIII as I watched as an 8-year-old, and I've been hooked ever since - even through the Bubby Brister years. I always go see the Steelers play when they're anywhere close - Nashville, Atlanta, etc., but I have never been to Pittsburgh and have never wanted to go.
Why? Because Pittsburgh is a dream town to me, an ideal city in the sky where all the traffic lights turn green as you approach and the only identification you need to have a local buy you a beer is a black cap bearing three hypocycloids on a white circle.
And the colunmist from Colorado did nothing to diminish my image of your city.
Go Steelers.
SCOTT WRIGHT
Cedar Bluff, Ala.
Just make it your biz, Whiz
Disrupt the place, Face
Use a new trick, Dick
Just listen to me
Hop on the Bus, us
No need to discuss much
Ignore the bad Refs, Jeff
And lay all doubters to rest
Don't worry about fines, Hines
No need to be coy, Troy
Pass for another ten, Ben
And set Pittsburgh Free
PATRICK AND KIKI RIBAN
Painted Post, N.Y. (originally from Indiana, Pa.)
My husband and I have been living in Columbus, Ohio for the last 20 years. Its not an easy thing to live in the land of the Buckeyes when your heart belongs in Pittsburgh.
I have never been so proud of my heritage as I was today. My team is all about winning and doing it for the team and Jerome Bettis. The Steeler Nation is truly alive.
BRING ON SEATTLE!!!!
MARY HALL
Columbus, Ohio
How do the Steelers get to Super Bowl XL?
Take the Bus!
I'm thrilled Jerome and the rest of the team for the greatest postseason of my life.
BRIAN HENRY
Oslo, Norway
Rich and Jeff's Excellent Adventure continues
(Previous chapter: Jeff and Rich's Excellent Adventure to Indianapolis)
Still exhausted from our Indy trip (and saving money for Super Bowl tickets), our Columbus-based Steeler fans elect to watch the game at home. A brief rundown:
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Jeff Ivey Jeff Ivey, left, and Rich Rudek on game day, wearing their lucky Steeler pants that Ivey says "have delivered wins every time we've worn them." Click photo for larger image. |
Rich makes a CD of the "Here We Go" fight song, which he copies 15 times on one CD and plays it non-stop for three hours leading up to the kickoff.
Jeff assures Rich that Jake Plummer is due for an Arizona Jake Plummer game, which Jake delivers on.
After listening to Phil Simms praise the dreaded Bronco blitz over and over, we realize we should have kept the CD on.
After first pass, a quick scramble to determine who #85 is for the Steelers.
When we remember, a quick poll is taken in the house to see who knows where Tiffin College is. Out of 16 adults, 2 people know.
10-0. What's Cowher's record with a ten-point lead, something like 512-1?
10-3. Maybe Denver has life.
17-3. Maybe not.
Bettis scores again. Absolute bedlam in the house. Until we see the penalty.
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Jeff Ivey Bedlam breaks out. Jeff Ivey writes, "Steelers win! A collection of the next generation of Steeler fans from Powell, Ohio." That's Rich Rudek in the back corner. Click photo for larger image. |
"That's OK-we'll just score on this play" is uttered. More bedlam ensues.
At halftime, Jeff calls everyone he can think of in Cleveland to remind them where the Steelers are headed.
Broncos rally a bit, then it's over. Rich secures us an empty house that is being rehabbed in Detroit for us to stay in (and that's REALLY what we're doing-it has hot water and heat, and very little of anything else).
Game is followed by another three hours of the "Here We Go" CD, and lots of Terrible Towel waving.
So we now have a free place to stay in Detroit, a short drive to get there, and just two more weeks to wait. The scramble for tickets is under way. We'll file our next update then!
JEFF IVEY
Columbus, Ohio
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Jeff Ivey Click photo for larger image |
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