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Super Bowl drama delivers a win for the ages
2009-02-02
TAMPA, Florida (AFP) - A thrilling finish and three of the most spectacular plays in Super Bowl history will help put Pittsburgh's record sixth victory in the gridiron spectacle among the greatest title games. But forgive Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, the youngest coach in Super Bowl history at age 36, if he cannot share the perspective on his team's last-minute rally for a 27-23 triumph over Arizona on Sunday in Super Bowl 43. "It was a fierce battle that hopefully honored those who played before us," Tomlin said Monday after a night of celebration. "It was exciting, surreal in a way. It's really humbling to consider what happened to us. "Coaching from the sidelines is one thing and being a spectator is another. I was only a spectator for those other ones. I don't know if I will be able to judge it. I know too much." National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell had no trouble putting the game, the fourth in six years decided by less than a touchdown, among the all-time greats after Pittsburgh blew a 20-7 lead but won in the dying moments. "It was a performance for the ages, a back and forth game and something we will always remember," Goodell said. "It was really something to marvel at." Pittsburgh's James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the first half to give Pittsburgh a 17-7 lead. It was the longest play in Super Bowl history. But Arizona answered for a 23-20 lead after Larry Fitzgerald broke open at midfield and completed a 64-yard touchdown play for his second touchdown catch of the fourth quarter with only 2:37 remaining. Santonio Holmes made a diving catch at the back right corner of the end zone with 35 seconds to play for a six-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to provide Pittsburgh's winning points and take Most Valuable Player honors. "It was definitely our destiny to win the Super Bowl. It played out like it was supposed to," Holmes said. "I wasn't worried about anybody else. I knew what I could do for this team." One play earlier, Holmes lost a ball off his fingertips trying to make a leaping touchdown grab on the opposite side of the field. "It was definitely redemption," he said. "I took my eyes off the ball trying to get my feet down. I asked him to give me another chance. This time I was going to keep my feet on the ground." Holmes kept his toes inbounds as he fell and the rest was history as the Steelers moved ahead of San Francisco and Dallas to top the Super Bowl champion list at six. "By the time the others get here, we will be at seven or eight," predicted Dick LeBeau, the Steelers' 71-year-old defensive coordinator. Tomlin became only the second black coach to win a Super Bowl after Tony Dungy of Indianapolis in 2007. "Coach Dungy has paved that road," Tomlin said. "I just have to walk down it." Holmes is looking forward to a celebration parade in Pittsburgh after bowing out early from the post-game celebration to be with people who had other priorities besides an NFL crown. "I just stayed in. I just spent last night with my kids, went to their room and made sure they were well taken care of," he said. "They were really excited about watching Madagascar 2."
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