The Man of Steel

• Share

(2 of 3)

Yet it's Pittsburgh that has truly captured the fans' imagination. The bond between the Steelers and their city runs deeper than an Allegheny coal seam. For one thing, the team provides a much needed distraction. "The city's in big trouble," says McGrath. "There is some high-tech stuff going on, but that doesn't help most people." Having the best record in football does. Roethlisberger jerseys are flying off the shelves; the Roethlisburger, a sub sandwich with sausage, chopped meat, eggs, cheese and fried onions, sells for $7, matching Ben's jersey number. And it's not just western Pennsylvanians who are worked up. When Terry Bradshaw and Mean Joe Greene were winning Super Bowls in the '70s, the Steelers were America's Other Team, and like the Dallas Cowboys, they attracted fans nationwide. That spirit is back. When the Steelers played the New York Giants in December, Giants Stadium was covered in black and gold. It could almost have passed for a Pittsburgh home game.

How did the Steelers turn things around? Roethlisberger deserves a lot of the credit. After starter Tommy Maddox tore a tendon early in the season, Cowher entrusted the team to the rookie, who had played three years at the other Miami University in the other Oxford (Ohio). Roethlisberger responded by leading the Steelers to back-to-back home victories against the then undefeated Patriots and Eagles, and he hasn't lost since. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells, who dishes out compliments about as often as Don Rickles, has called Roethlisberger the most impressive rookie quarterback since Dan Marino.

The young passer's most surprising attribute is his poise. "When you look at most rookie quarterbacks, you see them shuffling around like they just had eight cups of Starbucks," says Jaworski. "When I see Ben, I can see the calm in his eyes. His instincts are just amazing." Roethlisberger gladhands like a vet: he bought a custom-made suit for each of his offensive linemen. "They've been saving my life out there every week, so it's the least I could do for them," he says. "I hope they all fit."

If Roethlisberger has fit Pittsburgh's passing game like an Armani, its resurgent rushing attack has been no less stunning. "Last year we probably got away from running the ball a little too much," Cowher concedes. So in the off-season, Pittsburgh signed Eagles running back Duce Staley to a five-year, $14 million contract. When injuries slowed Staley, Bettis, a 12-year veteran who was supposed to fade into the background, got his groove back. Bettis, known as the Bus for his ability to run over tacklers, rushed for 100 or more yards in each of his first six starts, climbing to fourth place on the all-time NFL list with more than 13,000 career yards. "It's quality of life, really," says Bettis, 32, explaining why he decided to stay in Pittsburgh as a backup rather than pad his wallet and his stats for another team. "I've grown to love this town. I didn't want to go somewhere else and have to prove myself all over again." In a league where players seem like replaceable parts, the Steelers have tried to keep a core squad intact. "There are a lot of guys that stay here," says James Farrior, the Steelers' Pro Bowl inside linebacker. "You fight harder for the guys you know better."