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This day in sports history: Pittsburgh Steelers win 'one for the thumb' at Super Bowl XL

SUPER BOWL XL: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10

(Feb. 5, 2006; Ford Field, Detroit)

This day in sports history: Pittsburgh Steelers win 'one for the thumb' at Super Bowl XL

SUPER BOWL XL: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10

(Feb. 5, 2006; Ford Field, Detroit)

an estimated quarter of a million people lined the streets to cheer on the Super Bowl champions, leaving some of the players to wonder who wasn't there. Nobody at work. Nobody in school, man. It's just crazy, man. Just a city just shut down right now. To a man, the players reveled in it. I don't know what to expect. I know it be big, though. It's been a while, So we're gonna celebrate like champions today. Is this what you dreamed it would be like? It's more than what? You can't imagine what it feels like to be out here celebrating with the whole city like this. It's more than imaginable. Amazing, absolutely amazing. Never in my wildest dreams. I think something like this would happen. But it's awesome. There were so many people that it was difficult for them to see unless they climbed a lamp post or perhaps sat in a tree. But it was worth it for many to see. Troy Polamalu let down his hair and blow kisses to them and Jerome Bettis hold the Super Bowl trophy more on those two in a moment. But back to the parade and other reaction. I think these Pittsburgh Steel affairs are helping me understand the meaning of the world champion. I had to pinch myself this morning when I woke up. It's hard to see McKee sports Mike Logan, but easy to understand how he's feeling. There's a young guy growing up in Pittsburgh knowing about the history, the tradition of the Super Bowls, that they had to bring one back home in this day and age. This is unbelievable, man. More than I ever imagined. One of the biggest cheers was for Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, already one of the most popular Steelers. For us to go out there and fight and have the black and gold with the terrible towel, wait. Uhh! It's truly a I got chills down my back right now, looking at the sea of black and goal. Can you imagine any player in the NFL doing this will consider its Steeler Troy Polamalu doing the diving and the most loyal fans in the NFL doing the catching serves up on the Steeler parade route? But the team trusted their most prized possession to the bus, Jerome Bettis holding the Lombardi Trophy and more than willing to share the prize this is ours, but this is also yours. Everyone of you e No, I'm just so thankful for everything that this city has been able to give me. I'm just so happy we're able to give this city the one for the thumb. And with those final words, Jerome Best Road off in the Escalade, one by his pal Hines Ward as Super Bowl M. V. P, who have imagined a bus could fit into a Cadillac.
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This day in sports history: Pittsburgh Steelers win 'one for the thumb' at Super Bowl XL

SUPER BOWL XL: Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Seattle Seahawks 10

(Feb. 5, 2006; Ford Field, Detroit)

Feb. 5, 2006 - The Pittsburgh Steelers win their fifth Super Bowl, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10.The black and gold had been chasing the elusive "one for the thumb" since their fourth championship victory in 1980.Hines Ward catches a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wide receiver Antwaan Randle El to seal the game. Ward earns Most Valuable Player honors with five receptions for 123 yards.Detroit's Ford Field is the last stop for "The Bus." Jerome Bettis retires as a champion after winning a Super Bowl ring in his hometown.It caps off an improbable run for the Steelers, who lost three games in a row and fell to 7-5 before catching fire to end the regular season with four straight wins.As the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs, Pittsburgh defeats the top three seeds on the road to reach the Super Bowl — the first team to pull off such a feat.PHOTOS: Super Bowl XL team reunites at Heinz Field 10 years laterThe Pro Football Hall of Fame eventually opens its doors to four Super Bowl XL winners -- Troy Polamalu, Jerome Bettis, Alan Faneca and head coach Bill Cowher.Ben Roethlisberger, the lone remaining member of that championship roster, retires after the 2021 season and is all but certain to become the group's fifth Hall of Fame inductee.

Feb. 5, 2006 - The Pittsburgh Steelers win their fifth Super Bowl, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10.

The black and gold had been chasing the elusive "one for the thumb" since their fourth championship victory in 1980.

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Bill Cowher celebrates after the Steelers win Super Bowl XL.
AP PHOTO/GENE. J. PUSKAR
Steelers coach Bill Cowher celebrates at Super Bowl XL

Hines Ward catches a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wide receiver Antwaan Randle El to seal the game. Ward earns Most Valuable Player honors with five receptions for 123 yards.

Detroit's Ford Field is the last stop for "The Bus." Jerome Bettis retires as a champion after winning a Super Bowl ring in his hometown.

Jerome Bettis
WTAE
Jerome Bettis

It caps off an improbable run for the Steelers, who lost three games in a row and fell to 7-5 before catching fire to end the regular season with four straight wins.

As the sixth seed in the AFC playoffs, Pittsburgh defeats the top three seeds on the road to reach the Super Bowl — the first team to pull off such a feat.

Troy Polamalu and wife Theodora
WTAE
Troy Polamalu and his wife Theodora after Super Bowl XL

PHOTOS: Super Bowl XL team reunites at Heinz Field 10 years later

The Pro Football Hall of Fame eventually opens its doors to four Super Bowl XL winners -- Troy Polamalu, Jerome Bettis, Alan Faneca and head coach Bill Cowher.

Ben Roethlisberger, the lone remaining member of that championship roster, retires after the 2021 season and is all but certain to become the group's fifth Hall of Fame inductee.