Congratulations to the Steelers on their record setting sixth Super Bowl victory. So many showed the courage of what it takes to be a winner: Holmes, Roethlisberger, Harrison, Tomlin, the list can go on. But someone else needs to be given credit for showing an enormous amount of courage and grace: coach Ken Whisenhunt. For an individual to change the Cardinals' organization within two years and to take it to the grandest show in the sport is saying something about his character and leadership. All Pittsburghers can be proud of coach Whisenhunt knowing that he has taken a little bit of Pittsburgh and instilled it in Phoenixburg, a.k.a. Pittsburgh West.
TIM LITTLE
Cranberry
The military thanks you back
I first want to congratulate the Steelers on a tremendous Super Bowl victory! I'm currently deployed in the Middle East and I was initially a bit sad that I wouldn't get to watch such a historic event with friends and loved ones. But once the game got into full swing, I realized the Steelers Nation truly has no boundaries. Airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines alike cheered and celebrated every fantastic play and waved Terrible Towels in unison. It was almost like being home for a few short hours. So here's to you Steelers fans! You're the best there is, no matter where you are!
STEPHEN REESMAN
Technical Sergeant, USAF
Kittanning
The real heart of America
It's rather amazing when you live in another city to observe the Steelers following. The media coverage in Las Vegas alone has been tremendous this past season. After living here for 20 years I still answer "Pittsburgh" when asked where I'm from. Some say Dallas is America's team, but it's really a Steelers Nation.
GREGG HAWKINS
North Las Vegas, Nev.
Towels in tow
Steelers Nation is in Eugene, Ore.! I'm so proud of the Steelers and believe it or not, there are fans out here. On Sunday, several us Pittsburghers got together to watch the game. We had our Pittsburgh hats, T-shirts, towels and pictures of the city surrounding us while cheering for the team. Looking at the pictures of the parade on the Internet brought back wonderful memories of the city for me. I wish I could have been at the parade, but I was there in spirit for sure. Looking forward to next year for perhaps another big win! Congratulations Pittsburgh!
BERNIE MAENGEN
Eugene, Ore.
Roethlisberger for MVP
It was a great Super Bowl, and Santonio Holmes came up big for the Steelers in the fourth quarter. He deserved consideration for the MVP award. However, I think they missed the boat (or the pirate ship in this case) on choosing him as the game's MVP. Big Ben was the one that made it happen. His quarterback rating of 138 in the fourth quarter and 151 on the last drive as well as his ability to buy time and make a play is what put the sixth ring on the fingers of the Steelers Nation. Holmes made an incredible catch. But don't forget that Roethlisberger made two consecutive perfect throws into the end zone. Holmes missed the first, but he got the second. The good news is that Ben is going to Disney World with Holmes. Disney got it right even if the voters didn't.
SCOTT MADEIRA
Cranberry
Let's take the high road
I am a hometown girl; a Steelers fan through and through. Part of what makes me proud to say I'm a Steelers fan, when I know I will get flack for it since my current job has taken me to New England, is that I can hold my head high and say we are a standup team of hardworking, respectable players and coaches. I commend the Rooney family for building a team of which we can be proud. That's why it was so disappointing for me to see unsportsmanlike conduct and personal fouls in the Super Bowl. Each player is representing not only the franchise, but the town of hardworking folks who are rooting for them locally and abroad. Conduct such as starting fights on the sidelines, and roughing up players after the ball is down made it more difficult for me to celebrate an otherwise amazing win over the Cardinals. Congratulations to the Steelers, and all the hard work and dedication it took to get one for the other thumb! Let's strive for a clean 2009 season, free of unsportsmanlike conduct.
SHANA STEWART
Danby, Vt.
Pirates, share the success
There is absolutely no reason why this city can not support a top-tier Major League Baseball team. I really hope that the Nutting family was watching the Super Bowl and parade. You know that if the Pirates ever start winning again -- that 10 percent of the 370,000 people at that parade yesterday would pack PNC Park.
JENNIFER DUFFY
Ross Township
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