Although I am a huge football fan, I watched this year's Superbowl with apathy. I am not a big fan of the N.Y. Giants, and I absolutely detest the Baltimore Ravens.

It's not that I have anything against the city of Baltimore, it's the owner I can't stand. The one thing I never wanted to see happen, was Art Modell hoisting the Superbowl trophy. He is a self centered worm who represents everything that is wrong with the NFL. Owners have to show loyalty to their fans. They can't be jumping from city to city every time they don't get their way.

I can't say I'm a big fan of the Cleveland Browns either, but what he did to that city was despicable. My love for the Pittsburgh Steelers made me feel that town's hurt. I couldn't imagine the outrage and sadness I would feel if the Rooney's decided to relocate. Thank God the Rooney's are cut from a different mold than the Modell's. We will never have to feel that pain.

I did feel some pain seeing the smile and joy on Modell's face after his team had dominated the Giants in Superbowl XXXV. I couldn't see any justice in that rat being so happy.

But looking at the big picture, I realized there was something to smile about. Rod Woodson was getting a ring.

I know, he's not a Steeler anymore, but I can't forget the great years he brought me joy when he played for the mighty Steelers. He was drafted 10th overall in 1987, and was a Stalwart on defence until he left for the S.F. 49ers in 1997.

He didn't leave by choice, it was another one of those god-forsaken salary cap decisions. He deserved the money, and the Steelers couldn't afford to give it to him. Never-the-less, before he left, he gave the Steelers 10 of the finest years any player has ever given the team.

During his tenure he set 5 Steeler records. 5 interception returns for TDs, 256 punt returns, 2362 punt return yards, 220 Kick off returns, 4894 KO return yards.

That doesn't even begin to tell the story of how amazing he was at covering opposing WRs, or how punishing he was to QBs on the CB blitz. He was so adept at doing both, that he was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary team, one of only 5 active players to receive the honor. He was also voted as the 30th best player of all time by Pro Football Weekly. His teammates voted him most valuable player on 3 occasions. The NFL named him the 1993 defensive player of the year.

I don't think there were too many Steeler fans that didn't consider him their favorite player at some point during his 10 year stay. How unbearable was it to see him go down in the first game of 1995 season with a torn ACL? How amazing was it to see him be the first player in NFL history to come back from such an injury in the same year?

How unbearable is it to see him play for another team? It hurts, but I'm happy for him. He is still a Steeler at heart. He was just a victim of the NFL bureaucracy that forces players, and teams to make tough decisions. He still has a restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh called "Woodson's All-Star Grille". I guarantee he enters the hall as a Steeler.

I miss him, and I still wish he was a Steeler. But as much as salary cap decisions hurt sometime, they are the reason the NFL is the greatest sport in all the world right now. Sometimes decisions are painful, but I would rather a bit of pain, than to see the NFL in the same state as Baseball is in.

That is also the reason I can smile after watching 2 inconsequential teams play in the Superbowl. Rod Woodson, the mighty Steeler is getting his ring.

Congratulations Rod.

by SteelerGil (January 30, 01)