Super Bowl XLIII Steelers Historical Win

Sports fans are still talking about the Super Bowl XLIII game. The Steelers made history when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII

to win their sixth Super Bowl. Yes, this is the first team in NFL history to accomplish that many Super Bowl wins.

The Steelers also made history with the youngest Head Coach Mike Tomlin who is 36 years old. Tomlin was still elated as he spoke at a news Conference in Tampa, Florida. “I think first and foremost, I’d like to just tip my hat to the Arizona Cardinals organization, their coaches and players. That was a fierce battle we had last night. Hopefully it was entertaining to the fans of the game. Hopefully ithonored those who coached and played the game before us with how we performed. I know that it was our desire as a team to do that. We appreciate what a spectacle today’s steelers

NFL and Super Bowl is,” stated Tomlin.

Steelers James Harrison wowed fans when he completed a super spectacular

100-yard interception touchdown return, now slated as one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl and Pittsburgh Steelers history. “We realize that it’s because of the work that comes before us. It’s an honor to be considered among some of the names that have been associated with this game and performances and to see guys like Santonio (Holmes) deliver for football teams and assume places with some legendary people—people we all look up to,” Tomlin continued at the press conference. “It was just a very blessed evening. I’m excited about being a part of it, surreal in a way being a lifelong fan of the game, and a fan of the game of football and the Super Bowl. It’s humbling to consider what happened to us.”

The Steelers went on to win the record breaking SuperBowl with a score of 27 to 23.. Although a surprising lost for Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt, he took it in stride and was justifiably proud of the fantastic effort that his team put forth.

On a first-and-goal play from the Steelers’ 2-yard line with 18 seconds left in the first half, Warner threw a short pass over the middle intended for Anquan Boldin,who had made two catches for 11 yards on the previous two plays. That play was able to shift the NFL title game when it appeared that Arizona Cardinals were ready for the victory. The Steelers were in control for the majority of the game, but the Cardinals fought back to take a late lead. That’s when Roethlisberger and Holmes hooked for the game-winning drive. ““I got the pick,” said Harrison. You know we had them matched up and it was kind of like, give it time, and I slid over to the right and he threw it right to my hands, and I took off. It was definitely the most emotional game I have ever been a part of,” Harrison said. Previously, the longest interception in a Super Bowl game was Kelly Herndon’s 76-yarder for the Seattle Seahawks against the Steelers inDetroit three years ago. The Steelers’ Willie Parker had a 75-yard touchdownagainst the Seahawks, the longest run in Super Bowl history. Harrison’s play broke the Super Bowl scoring-play record held by Desmond Howard’s 99-yard kickoff return for the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI against the Patriots.It was the last minute heroics by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes that secured the win, when he scored the go ahead touchdown with just 35 seconds left on the clock. During a press conference Santonio Holmes stated, “I’d like to thank my teammates, and first of all, thank the Lord upstairs for allowing me to be here and the opportunity he gave me to step out on the field and play to the best of my ability. I’d definitely like to thank the fans for their support (and for) being here, my family, my kids, everybody that’s been there through all the thick and thin, helping (to) provide the way for me, keeping me humble throughout the wholetime I’ve been going up and down as far as this season.” Tomlin realizes that he has made history during Black History month as a young African American coach. Born in Hampton, Virginia on March 15, 1972, Tomlin is definitely a family man. He is married to Kiya, and they have two sons, Dino and Mason and a daughter Harlyn Quinn. He was named the 16th head coach in Pittsburgh Steelers history on Jan. 22, 2007. Hired at the age of 34, Tomlin became only the third head coach hired by the Steelers since 1969. Tomlin finished his first year as Steelers head coach with a 10-6 record in the regular season, and became just the second coach in team history to post a winning record, win a division title and earn a playoff berth in his inaugural season. Prior to joining the Steelers, Tomlin spent the 2006 season as the MinnesotaVikings’ defensive coordinator after spending the previous five seasons (2001-05) as defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tomlin guided the Steelers to the NFL’s top-ranked defense in 2007, yielding only 266.4 yards per game.

The Steelers’ defense ranked third in the NFL against both the run (89.9 avg.) and pass (176.5 avg.), and also finished third in the league in total yards allowed per play (4.6). Pittsburgh’s defense led the NFL in passing yards per play (5.7) and first downs allowed per game (15.6), and finished second in the league in points allowed per game (16.8).

The Steelers’ offense finished third in the NFL in rushing (135.5 avg.) duringTomlin’s first season, sparked by RB Willie Parker who led the league in rushing before injuring his leg in Week 16. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger enjoyed a record-setting season during Tomlin’s first year, establishing new team records for touchdown passes (32) and passer rating (104.1), while earning his first career Pro Bowl appearance. In 2007, the Steelers held the advantage in time of possession in 14-of-16 regular season games. Tomlin was the NFL’s second youngest head coach in 2007, and he became only the second Steelers coach in team history to win at least 10 games during his first year at the helm. The Steelers posted a 7-1 record at home in 2007 and were 5-1 in the AFC North (3-0 at home). Tomlin became only the second Steelers head coach to win his first three games. During 2007, the Steelers became just the fifth team in NFL history to win their first four home games by at least 20 points. President Barack Obama put in a call to Tomlin, however, he apparently had some difficulty hearing him.

“I don’t know if I’ll get a re-do,”, Tomlin said, I hear he’s a busy guy at this point. It was very surreal, very humbling experience to be a part of that, just really awesome. It’s what you dream about, not only as a coach, but as a citizen. I heard very little of what he said, and I let him know that. I said, ‘I can’t hear what you’re saying, but I appreciate the call. I appreciate the congratulations.’ And I handed the phone back to Mr. Rooney.