Next Bus Stop: Denver

With each and every Steelers victory, another plane ticket must be purchased, not only for each player, but for myself and good friend, Mike Worysz. You see, we decided at the game in Cincinnati to ride this all the way until it is over. It didn't even seem possible to get this far, as a No. 6 seed has never made it to the championship game. If this was going to happen, Mike and I were going to watch history together. Look for us this Sunday, in section 342, row 16, club level, Steelers side.

How could the Steelers even compete against the Colts? Weren't they pounded 26-7 on Monday Night Football earlier in the year by the same team? Weren't they playing a well-rested Colts team? Wasn't this game being played in the loud RCA Dome? This wasn't just another road game, this was unthinkable.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was asked about having success on the road:

"Everybody's against you and all we have is us and that's what makes this team so strong. We've done a great job of that all year. We could hear our fans out there. They're awesome. They're getting it loud at times and when Peyton's at home telling the crowd to be quiet, that's our guys. We come out and play tough and hopefully, we can keep it going."

Thanks Ben, I'll make sure to rest my voice for Denver. Glad you appreciate it.

I was so close, I could hear Coach Cowher screaming to the players. It was amazing to see my team put up a 21-3 lead going into the fourth quarter. No one gave them a chance and they took it to the Colts all day long.

I have an incredible picture of the Steelers players waving the crowd goodbye. It was first-and-goal for the offense, and the Steelers had Jerome Bettis in the backfield. You can see the offense in the corner of the picture.

Freeze here for a moment. It is over. Everyone in the stadium knew it. I can remember feeling such a relief. It was time to enjoy the victory.

Then, the dream turned into a nightmare. Bettis fumbled and the ball popped out. The goal line offense wasn't going to stop this disaster! I felt horrible for Jerome. All I could think of was the Sports Illustrated cover picturing Jerome Bettis spiking the ball in Cincinnati the week before. The caption read "Oh, Yeah! Jerome Bettis and the Steelers Drive Into Indianapolis."

All I was thinking was, "Oh No!" I knew that SI curse was real. Then Big Ben made "The Tackle." Thanks again, Ben.

The last five minutes of that game were so intense, I was shaking to the point Mike was seriously trying to calm me down. It felt like I was having a seizure or anxiety attack. I was in utter shock. I couldn't give up now. Not after coming this far.

When they lined up for the kick at the end, with 21 seconds remaining, I was thinking overtime.

I only had one trick left in my bag.

I did this thing to jinx the kicker. It goes something like this:

You make the Texas longhorn symbol and flick your fingers at the kicker. The pointer and the pinky represent each post. I learned this at a Steelers bar a while ago. You can only do it on big kicks in big games. I have done this move three times in my life and it worked every time.

When Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt's attempt went wide right, I knew my curse had even more clout than the Sports Illustrated one. Vanderjagt is the most accurate kicker in NFL history. That's a fact. He hasn't missed the entire season at home. I really believe in my jinx, so if I wasn't there, we may be talking about a different story today!

Back on top of the world! Back to living the dream!

I know how quickly it can end. I have waited my entire life and I am still waiting. I can't even tell you what I am waiting for because I am so paranoid.

I have to go to Denver — everyone is telling me it is not even an option anymore. It can all quickly come to an end, so I am just enjoying the moment.

The odds are still against the Steelers, they are underdogs again, going on the road, but who knows?

I have 40 things on my mind, 40 things I can't even talk about. Either way, I'll be watching next year, just waiting for "the one." I know, because it is in my blood.

Growing up as a child in Pittsburgh, I learned that hard work will pay off, that family is important, and that the Steelers are your extended family. I truly understood exactly what that meant when I left the city to find work elsewhere.

No matter where you live in the country, once a Steelers fan, always a Steelers fan.

I don't really ever feel like I am at home anymore, but when I see someone wearing the black and gold, I am already there. It is more than just football.

There is not a more stable organization in Pittsburgh than the Steelers. Even when the steel mills were leaving and the city took a downturn, the Steelers remained. The team, organization, and history truly reflect the blue-collar mentality Pittsburghers have within themselves.

This week's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos brings back many memories for me. It was only a few years back, the 1997 season that the Steelers were poised for another championship run. In January 1998 of that season, the Steelers hosted the Denver Broncos for the right to play in the big game. The town was electric, the vibe was intense, and the hunger for a victory was obvious.

I can remember my dad, who operates a tow truck company with the same class and hard work that defines Pittsburgh, my ultimate role model, getting into the act, as well. See, it was truly special for me because he wasn't the biggest Steelers fan. He didn't really understand the game and spent his childhood working.

But for this one particular game, he decided to host a "Bash the Bronco" tailgate at his automotive shop, which is located 10 minutes north of Pittsburgh. Ferra's Automotive was turned into Steelers headquarters that day. There was music blasting, food being passed around, cars honking, and Terrible Towels waving proudly in the air.

I remember his "bash" made the news and I was bragging to all my friends about it. I realized he was doing this, not for himself, but for all those that loved the Steelers just as much as his son did.

That is something I will never forget.

The game didn't turn out as planned, the Steelers lost by three points in a 24-21 upset to John Elway's Broncos. It hurt badly at the time, but the memories my dad created for me were more important and it took years to truly appreciate how much fun that time was, regardless of the outcome.

As I planned to write about that this week, an e-mail appeared from my father. Yep, he was at it again.

Right now, there are camera crews from every news station in Pittsburgh preparing for another "Bash the Bronco." Once again, I find myself bragging to my friends about it. Painted Denver's colors with No. 16 and Jake the Snake painted on the side, the truck is prepared to be beaten by Steelers fans wearing a No. 7 helmet and holding a sledge hammer all day long.

Chills jumped through my dad's body to mine when he sent me an e-mail earlier this week.

Apparently, while his workers were preparing the Old Ford Bronco for a beating of a lifetime, a discovery was made. Sitting inside the vehicle was a cassette player holding one mixed tape.

Of all the tapes in the world, the possibilities were endless. But there was only one tape that would truly make this Bronco Special.

It was a tape of the Steelers' fight songs, from the 1970s.