Fans.

U.S. Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) cheer as they watch the Pittsburgh Steelers score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of the NFL's Super Bowl XL, at Camp Hit in the western Iraqi town of Hit February 6, 2006.

Seattle Seahawks fan Kyle Koenig of Bellingham, Wash., sits in the stands after the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seahawks 21-10 in the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit.

Super Steelers Photos 2.

Champion Steelers Update.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Steelers special section AVAILABLE NOW

Steelers ticker-tape parade Tuesday BREAKING NEWS

Cowher: Last night, I didn't get to sleep at all BREAKING NEWS

Slideshow: Local fans before, during and after big win

With MVP performance, Ward evokes memories of Swann, Stallworth

Gritty Super Bowl a perfect fit for Steelers

Steelers fans celebrate Super Bowl victory

This was Bettis' game for him — and two cities — to win

Win one for the thumb? Steelers also win one for the Jaw

Seahawks lose chances, catches, points, and Super Bowl

Steelers win with big plays

Steelers split the driving on this super Bus ride

Records set or tied in the 2006 Super Bowl

Super Bowl notebook

Cops don riot gear to control celebrants
Hundreds of police officers in riot gear scrambled to control thousands of exuberant Steelers fans who filled the streets of Oakland and the South Side to celebrate Sunday's Super Bowl win.

'Wild ride'
Prior to the start of this super season, Hines Ward held out for a new contract. After waiting a bit longer than Ward would have preferred, the Steelers rewarded him with the richest contract in franchise history. Sunday, in Super Bowl XL, Ward made sure that every dime the Rooney family spent on him was worth five times its weight in silver, as Ward won MVP honors.

Nuns follow Steelers religiously
A wooden statue of Jesus sits atop a shelf overlooking a common room in the Felician Sisters Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Convent in Moon.

Bettis closes with storybook ending
Jerome Bettis wanted to roll out of the NFL with a Super Bowl title in his hometown of Detroit.

Prisuta: Thumbs up

Starkey: Cowher wins the big one

Seahawks' Alexander a non-factor

Up to their old tricks

First quarter: Sluggish start

Second quarter: Gaining ground

Third quarter: On the run

Fourth quarter: Clinching catch

Staley dresses

Steelers win with big plays
A record-setting run. A game-turning interception. A trick play that no one saw coming - until the ball landed in Hines Ward's hands, making him the Super Bowl MVP.

'Burgh the place to be

Roethlisberger has an off day - but he's a champion

Ward's drop a prelude to MVP performance

Fans gather at site of Olympics

Pigskin party rages on

Non-fans find other ways to pass time

Security rated as super

Motown a hometown for Steeler Nation

'I can't believe it!'

Raiders to interview Whisenhunt

Steelers fans hit streets to celebrate

Alexander makes plays, but it's not enough

Notebook: Stevens has bad day after war of words

See what happens when you shine a light on these slimy creatures?

'WILL & GRACE' REWRITE: NBC Cuts Crucifixion Comedy, Keeps Spears...

The original story is here.

Super Steelers Photos

Sales.

There are no hot babes in sales.

Don't get between a man and his big screen tv...

Speaking of which, I learned my lesson the last time the Steelers made the Super Bowl (XXX in January of 1996). I hosted a party and had to behave myself.

Yesterday, after early Mass, I spent the day reading The Duke of Alba by Henry Kamen, the Michael and Cathryn Borden Memorial Book of the Day. (BTW, the Duke was not a bloodthirsty madman killing sweet little protestants at the behest of the King of Spain. He was a professional soldier who waged war strictly according to the rules of war in his day. This little book is a much needed objective revision of "history" as written by the schismatics.)

I stumbled upon Condi Rice on ESPN during a break. That was the only five minutes of pregame nonsense I watched.

I then watched my beloved Steelers as I usually do: screaming at the tv while jumping up and down.

I would like to thank She Who Must Be Obeyed for not violating my Fortress of Steelertude for the entire day.

She is learning, kiddies. Other Super Bowls may be social events. Steeler Super Bowls are serious business.

Heehee...Battlestar Galactica. Hey, wait a minute...I like Battlestar Galactica...

...the old school one with Lorne Greene, not the Edward James Olmos one...

I, for one, am greatly reassured...

KBCI: Blair calls Muslim violence aimed at Denmark 'unacceptable'

British Prime Minister Tony Blair calls the violent Muslim protests aimed at Denmark "completely unacceptable."

Here's a headline you don't see everyday...

AP: Muslim Anti-Cartoon Clashes Turn Deadly

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan security forces opened fire on demonstrators Monday, leaving at least four dead, as increasingly violent protests erupted around the world over published caricatures of Islam's Prophet Muhammad. European and Muslim politicians pleaded for calm. The worst of the violence was outside Bagram, the main U.S. base in Afghanistan, with Afghan police firing on some 2,000 protesters as they tried to break into the heavily guarded facility, said Kabir Ahmed, the local government chief.

This reminds me of the Daffy Duck Massacre of '77...

BTW, how hot was Condi Rice while talking football on the ESPN pre-game show?

YES! The Steelers are Super Bowl champions again!

Thanks and congratulations to:

The Rooney family. Thanks for being the class of NFL owners. I don't know what I'd do if some fool like Jerry Jones or Daniel Snyder owned my favorite team. I'm sure The Chief is smiling while chomping on the best cigar Heaven has to offer.

Bill Cowher, Dick LeBeau, Ken Whisenhunt (Good luck coaching the Raiders. We'll keep the light on for you.) and the rest of the coaching staff for doing a great job. How much money do you think LeBeau would get from Daniel Snyder?

The defense. This is how the Steelers win most of the time. The defense suffocates the opposition's offense (The Seahawks were the number one scoring offense this year.) and Roethlisberger and company don't make too many mistakes. If your memory extends beyond the playoffs to the regular season, this would not surprise you.

Jerome Bettis. If that tv thing doesn't work out for you, you'll always have a place in the Steelers organization. See you in Canton in five years, Bus.

Hines Ward. The Super Bowl MVP award goes to the most complete and most underrated wide receiver ever.

Antwaan Randle El. The greatest QB to come out of Indiana University of Indiana (as opposed to IUP ) proves he still has an arm!

Ben Roethlisberger. Can you imagine how good this kid will be when he gets some more experience? (Memo To Big Ben: That Neil O'Donnell moment you had nearly killed everyone in the world who was wearing Black & Gold.)

And, most importantly of all, thank you Casey Hampton. The NFL's best nose tackle stopped up the middle of the line and (in my opinion) was the key to the Steeler defensive success in Super Bowl XL as he was in every game this season.

Bonus thank you to Steeler fans everywhere for keeping the faith. And not rioting too much after the game.

Memo To The Seahawks and Their Fans: 1) Don't whine to us about the lousy part-time NFL refs and the sham that is video replay review. 2) Mike Holmgren and staff were outcoached from beginning to end. You had to get field goals at the end of the first half and as quickly as possible on the last drive.

Results of Fyodor's Super Bowl XL pick and more.

On Sunday 2/5, the Steelers covered the spread against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL as I had predicted.

For the season, I was 111 and 115 with four pushes picking NFL games against the spread, although I did take a couple of weeks off. In the playoffs, I was 10 and 1, including winning Super Bowl XL.

Here's the bad news: In the 2005 NFL regular season, the favorites covered almost 54% of the time. (WTF??? )

That's why they call it gambling.

For more Super Bowl stuff, look here.

Saint of the Day and daily Mass readings.

Today is the Feast of St. Paul Miki and his companions, the twenty-six Martyrs of Japan who died for the greater glory of God. Pray for us, all you angels and saints.


Today's reading for the Feast of St. Paul Miki and companions is Galatians 2:19-20.
Today's Gospel reading is Matthew 28:16-20.


[Links to the readings will be from the NAB until I can find another chapter and verse searchable Douay-Rheims Bible on-line.]


Everyday links:

The Blessed Virgin Mary
The Rosary
Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Prayers from EWTNNational Coalition of Clergy and Laity (dedicated to action for a genuine Catholic Restoration)
The Catholic Calendar Page for Today


Just in case you are wondering what exactly Catholics believe, here is

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.


Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession,was left unaided.Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me. Amen.


St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, pray for us.


Prayer to St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire

Dear St. Anthony, you became a Franciscan with the hope of shedding your blood for Christ. In God's plan for you, your thirst for martyrdom was never to be satisfied. St. Anthony, Martyr of Desire, pray that I may become less afraid to stand up and be counted as a follower of the Lord Jesus. Intercede also for my other intentions. (Name them.)


PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the divine power, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.