For the Steeler Nation, last year’s Super Bowl was a glorious three hours. We had waited for that moment for 26 years, and when the Steelers finally won the “one for the thumb”, all we wanted to do was re-live it over and over again. As usual, NFL Films did a brilliant job covering the game, capturing memorable audio that otherwise would have been lost. This week’s America Loves Countdown® series looks at the ten best quotes heard from Detroit during Super Bowl XL.

Tommy Maddox Tries to Comfort Ben Roethlisberger
“It looks like it came out lower than you wanted it to,” Maddox said to Ben as the two QB’s sat on the bench together. No offense to Tommy, but I had to laugh watching him try to talk Ben Roethlisberger thru his nearly catastrophic 3rd quarter interception that put Seattle right back into the game. Maddox was the master of game-turning interceptions, so I just kept expecting him to say something like “I would have thrown it a little lower so that the DB could get a running start” or “There’s still time for a bad fumble”.

Jerome Bettis Announces Retirement
On the stage in the middle of the field where the trophy presentation took place, ABC’s Mike Tirico asked the Bus straight up whether or not this had been his last game. Bettis answered, “It’s been an incredible ride and the last stop is here in Detroit.” It was the way all athletes should dream of going out, winning a championship in their hometown. In Bettis’ case, it was very well-deserved.

Bill Cowher Apologizes to Duce Staley
Near the end of the game, Cowher was talking to Duce Staley, who was almost unrecognizable because he was wearing a uniform rather than his trademark sweatsuit. The coach told Staley that he was sorry for not getting him a carry in the big game. It was the most insincere apology ever. What Cowher was really saying is, “Sorry you couldn’t contribute for us all season, and sorry you are such a bum, and sorry you wanted a carry even though you did jack squat to earn it. I’ll definitely get you one next time around…. not.”

Ken Hamlin Whines About the Refs
Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin, who was injured and watching the game from the sidelines, looked incredulously into the camera after his team had blown yet another opportunity. Of course, like the rest of his team, Hamlin believed it was all the referees’ fault. “You all seeing this?” Hamlin whined. It was a signal of things to come for this immature bunch of babies.

Max Starks Comments on FWP’s Record Run
After FWP raced through the Seahawks defense for a Super Bowl record 75-yard touchdown run, the offensive line who made it possible took a breather on the bench and began discussing the play. Tackle Max Starks summed it up best: “That boy is EXTRA fast!”

Bill Cowher Celebrates the Clinching First Down
Typically forgotten in Super Bowl XL is the offense’s vital drive late in the 4th quarter which not only took four minutes off the clock, but also forced the Seahawks to use all of their timeouts. The Steelers converted two third downs on that drive – one on a Ben-to-Antwaan shovel pass and another on a Ben bootleg (which actually turned out to be a broken play gone well). After the latter, Cowher stepped onto the field and made a dramatic first down motion with his arm, shouting something I still can’t understand (something like “Boom baby! Boom!). He had waited so long for that moment and it was great to see him enjoying it.

Troy Polamalu Volunteers to Play Offense
Late in the 2nd quarter, Roethlisberger ran a bootleg play and dove for the endzone. The refs ruled that it was a touchdown, but the Seahawks challenged since it was so close. It would later be ruled a touchdown (which was the correct call), but as the Steelers prepared for a possible 4th and inches play, Troy Polamalu told Bill Cowher that he could dive over the top for the score. I almost wish the refs would have botched that call just to see if Cowher would have let Troy attempt it!

Ben Roethlisberger Refuses to Hug Bill Cowher Until the Game Ends
As Seattle was frivolously putting together their last-minute drive, Cowher came over to Ben to congratulate him. After all, the Steelers had a two-score lead and Seattle was out of timeouts. But when the coach tried to hug his QB, Ben backed off and said, “It’s not over yet, coach… I’ll hug you in a second.” I loved that moment because it was the same way I always react at the end of games (due in large part to this event). You never want to celebrate too early, even if there is only a .0001% chance that the other team could come back.

Bill Cowher Presents the Trophy to Dan Rooney
It was always Bill Cowher’s goal to be able to hand the Lombardi Trophy to the man who hired and stuck with him all those years. After 14 seasons, four AFC Championship Game losses, a Super Bowl heartbreak, and countless other moments where he fell short, the Pittsburgh native finally got to do accomplish that goal. “Mr. Rooney, this is for you,” said Cowher.

Bill Cowher Celebrates with Daughters
One of the most heart-wrenching moments of the Cowher era was when he was walking off the field at Super Bowl XXX and his little girl was waiting for him. Cowher bent down to give her a kiss and tried to hide his disappointment. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,” he said. Ten years later, his girls again greeted him after the Super Bowl, but this time they rejoiced. “We’re world champions, dad!”, they yelled out. What a great moment.

Honorable Mentions:

• “Standing on Top of the World”: That song played on the loud speaker after the game ended. Every time I hear that song now I think of that amazing moment.
• Matt Hasselbeck Tries to Taunt Tom Brady: The Patriots QB (who was doing the coin toss) apparently predicted a Pittsburgh victory earlier in the week. “What’s up with you picking the Steelers?” yelped Hasselbeck, to which Brady should have later responded, “What’s up with you taking 30 freaking seconds to run a play in the final minute of the first half?”
• Bill Hillgrove Calls FWP’s TD Run: “Willie Parker 40, 30, 20, 10, 5…. Willie TOUCHDOWN!…. And this place is a Steeler maniac’s haven!” Just a beautiful call from a very gifted announcer.
• The Fans Go All Out: I was there and trust me – it was even louder than a home game. What awesome support from the world’s greatest fans.