By Robert Dvorchak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/
John Heller/Post-Gazette
Fans line up inside the AMC Loews Waterfront 22 cinema in West Homestead as linebacker James Harrison signs autographs before the debut of the NFL Films DVD documenting the Steelers' season.
With a show business sense of preparation, NFL Films had outfitted Santonio Holmes with a microphone for the Super Bowl.
And as the Steelers were taking the field for their winning drive, Holmes could be heard telling quarterback Ben Roethlisberger: "I want the ball."
That line played prominently in the premiere of Super Bowl XLIII Champions, which opened to an overflow crowd last night and is now available on DVD at various outlets.
Holmes and several teammates attended a special screening at the AMC Loews Waterfront before heading out to Best Buy in Bethel Park to autograph the first copies that went on sale.
"We're going to have this moment to share for the rest of our lives," said Holmes, who has been on a whirlwind tour of celebrity ever since his MVP catch lifted the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl title. "All of it has been great."
The drama has long-since played out, and the ending is etched in the collective memory. But the story, available from Warner Home Video and NFL Films for $24.98, apparently never gets old.
"It'll be a collector's item," said Hines Ward, who was the MVP of Super Bowl XL and is on the ring committee designing the new bling. "You get to watch the Super Bowl from a different level."
Ward will be signing copies from 1 to 3 p.m. today at the West Mifflin Wal-Mart, and LaMarr Woodley will attach his signature to purchased copies from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Giant Eagle in the Robinson Town Center.
John Heller/Post-Gazette
Hines Ward signs autographs before the debut of the NFL Films documentary on the Steelers' super season yesterday at the AMC Lowes Waterfront.
In addition to the highlights leading up to the team's sixth Super Bowl title, the DVD includes bonus material and features that fans can savor through the winter.
Narration is provided by Harry Kalas, the Hall of Fame baseball announcer with the Philadelphia Phillies who has been a longtime contributor to NFL Films.
Given unrestricted access, NFL Films has a way of eavesdropping on conversations and showing just the right angles -- set to music -- to stir the emotions again and again.
Not much is out of bounds. The DVD includes Tunch Ilkin noting that a James Harrison snap almost ended up in the Ohio River; Casey Hampton chuckling over a touchdown run by Byron Leftwich; Tennessee's LenDale White stomping on the Terrible Towel; and Limas Sweed getting an attitude adjustment from Hines Ward before throwing a memorable block.
There are several segments that provide insights into coach Mike Tomlin. But in a Super Bowl that produced more big plays than any other, the Steelers provide enchantment.
Before the dramatic winning drive, a resolute Max Starks is overheard saying: "We got this. We are built for this. We are built for this!"
The Steelers came back for a 27-23 win, climaxed by a tiptoe touchdown catch that fans will be talking about for years.
Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com.
First published on February 24, 2009 at 12:00 am
Steelers enjoy premiere of Super Bowl video
By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes didn't have to wait to watch the end of Monday night's VIP screening of the official Super Bowl XLIII video.Holmes, the Super Bowl MVP who caught the winning touchdown pass in the final minute, knows the ending by heart — the good guys win.
But he watched anyway.
Holmes was joined by teammates James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Hines Ward and Willie Parker, who gathered at the AMC Loews Waterfront 22 theater in Homestead for the red-carpet event.
Woodley made Holmes' 6-yard touchdown catch from Ben Roethlisbeger hold up when he forced Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner to fumble while attempting a desperation pass. The Steelers recovered, enabling the clock to run out in their 27-23 victory.
"I kind of miss working out," said Woodley, who, like many of his teammates, has been on the television and radio circuit following the Super Bowl. "I'm going to start back training (in March)."
While his teammates dressed casually for the event, Ward wore a stylish suit without a tie. He also sported a pair of sunglasses.
"I thought winning the first Super Bowl was good. But winning the second one feels extra special because of all the stuff we had to go through," said Ward, the MVP of Super Bowl XL. "We had the hardest schedule before the season started. Overcoming a lot of different things with injuries and what-not and still staying the course and being able to come together as a team and win the Super Bowl."
As for his choice of clothing, Ward replied, "I've got to teach some of the younger guys what the red carpet is. We're the first ones on our team to watch the premiere."
Ward wasn't wearing sunglasses to make a fashion statement. He said he suffered a broken blood vessel in his eye resulting from a negative reaction following offseason surgery for a torn rotator cuff he suffered in the second week of the season.
Steelers running back Willie Parker signs autographs before walking to a screening of the team's official championship DVD Monday in Homestead.
Andrew Russell/Tribune-Review
"I'm wearing shades because I busted a blood vessel while I was throwing up (because) of the anesthesia during surgery. It was pretty bad," Ward said. "Any time you go under the knife, it's a big deal.
"Shoulder injuries are the worst. I had my knee 'scoped a couple of times; I can get over that. I thought the shoulder wouldn't be as bad. They put a couple of screws in it to make sure it heals properly. I'm supposed to be in a sling, but it doesn't look cool to be on the red carpet in a sling."
Ward attributed his emotional response immediately following the Super Bowl win to playing in the game despite a painful knee injury.
"A lot of people were concerned about the knee. I had a six-week injury but played in two weeks," he said. "That's why I was very emotional about the game because I put so much into it."
Woodley plans to ask some of the veterans who played in Super Bowl XL about the best way to prepare for next season. The Steelers finished 8-8 the year after winning their last Super Bowl.
"There's definitely going to be some of those questions coming up. Just the things we can do to get better," Woodley said.
"Week to week, every team we play is going to give us their best shot. Every team wants to beat the Pittsbugh Steelers. They feel like if they beat the Steelers, they're on top. Our job is to take care of business like we've been doing."
The Super Bowl XLIII DVD arrives in stores today. Ward, Holmes and Woodley will be signing copies of the DVD this week at selected area locations.
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