The Final Bus Stop: Detroit

Well, if you have been following my journey, you already know that I have traveled to every Steelers playoff game with my college buddy (a jets fan), Mike Worsyz. Everyone thought we were crazy, including myself at times. Funny thing is, the Steelers kept winning ... so we couldn't stop. The saga continues on to the grandest of all stages.

This trip has been amazing. Somehow, we haven't fallen into the trap of getting deathly ill, fired, or arrested to end such a crazy and memorable journey. That's the only thing that would have stopped us. Well, that, and my consistently draining bank account.

Has it been worth it? Probably not, in your opinion. To me, it is more than just football. I have had the opportunity to explore three cities I have never even visited before. I have had the opportunity to share this wild adventure with all of you, as well as my family and friends.

Although we were able to obtain some deals here and there, the money has added up. As we were leaving Denver, we knew it was going to take nothing short of a miracle to get us inside Ford Field in Detroit. I am a pretty determined person when I put my mind towards a goal, but there are only 65,000 people that get the privilege and honor to watch this Super Bowl in person. The other 800 million viewers from over 240 countries have to watch this through the power of television.

Now don't get me wrong, watching the Super Bowl on TV is not a punishment! The commercials alone make it worth it. Television just has never been the way I chose to see things important to me.

I compare it to watching the Discovery Channel on the Great Barrier Reef. Although the camera angles and commentary provided are awesome, it doesn't beat diving into the water myself, seeing the images with my own two eyes, forming my own opinions and thoughts along the way.

That's why I have to be there. I would do just about anything to see the Super Bowl live.

This is something I have thought about my entire life. I even promised my childhood best friend after a Super Bowl XXX loss to the Dallas Cowboys that we would be there to see it live the next time around. Us actually being there would make all the difference.

We've grown up ... money is a factor, work commitments cause problems, and somehow all of that "talk" becomes just "talk." Yep, my childhood best friend, Jeff Weismann, the guy who took me to every Steelers game as a child with his father, doesn't appear to be going. (Don't worry, I am praying and holding out that something changes.)

I mean, I can remember watching my last game as a fan in Pittsburgh with him. It was the final game in old Three Rivers Stadium, and we had a great time. We ended up ripping off the plastic cup holders just to say we had a piece to keep with us forever.

It is a shame that such a devoted fan (minus the Patriots game this year where he decided to go to an amusement park instead of watching the game) doesn't have the opportunity to see this like we both dreamt of doing.

I placed a million calls, preached to everyone I could that I need to be there. Nothing.

I searched eBay, StubHub, and every Internet broker I could find. Too expensive.

I even tried to win a contest on ABC's "Good Morning America," for the "world's greatest football fan." The contest required you to make a two-minute video and submit a VHS tape explaining why you were that person.

With the help of another good friend, Amanda Reuss, we created an award-winning video. We stayed up until 3 AM making this video. I was in a suit, dress, Troy Polamalu wig, and my usher uniform begging to be selected.

I even offered to wear a dress on the show if they picked me, wipe every seat in my section, and donate eight hours of community service to the charity of their choice for each point the Steelers would score.

Funny thing, I gladly would've done it all had I won.

At 3 AM, all I had to do was convert the small DV tape I had to a VHS tape. I have one VCR and it jammed! I finally gave up at 5:30 AM.

I awoke at 6:15 AM and realized we had another VCR I could try. This one wouldn't record anything. I was so frustrated I punched the original VCR.

Presto! Like magic, the VCR began to work. I converted the tape, and went to work on 45 minutes of sleep. I thought it was a sign ... I guess "Good Morning America" didn't.

I waited patiently, watching the show daily. Nothing.

I eventually lost in dramatic fashion to a 77-year-old nun, who is a Colts fan. Now many think I would be bitter about an old lady (who isn't even a fan of the teams playing) winning, but they are wrong. If she was willing to make a video at that age, she deserves it. I really hope I see her acting a fool at one of the VIP parties she now has access to.

Congratulations, sister, party like its 1969.

I was contemplating giving up, even though I knew I couldn't.

Not after the letter I received from my brother and sister. They knew how much it meant for me to be there. I opened a letter that included a check for $700. That wasn't even close to what the letter was worth to me. It read:

"Happy Birthday! Merry Christmas!...It's not Super bowl tickets, but Connie and I have combined monies to help you out. There is nothing we would like to do more [than] to make one of your dreams come true! Money is tight for the both of us...every bit counts...hopefully this will get you one step closer to see the "Bus" go out in style and win one for the thumb! Super bowl XL baby, the big 40! It just would not sit right with the both of us if your playoff road trip to SB XL was cut short because of the expense. I use that excuse a lot, and, well...*#@* it! Money isn't everything...life experiences are...you've shown that to the both of us. This is without question a time in your life you'll always remember and tell stories about. So, make some crazy signs, paint your face, and just wave that terrible towel like crazy! Double Yoi! We'll look for you on TV! The road is our HOME....Go Steelers! 40 Here we go Steelers, Here we go!

Love,

Aaron and Connie

Now I usually don't cry, but this had me shaking and in tears. I had to go now.

As we speak, I am writing this in a rented car on my way to Detroit. I did end up getting a ticket — actually, two of them. They are from Tom Foley, a guy that has sat in my section at Heinz Field for five years. He knew I had traveled to every game this playoff season, and just like me, he commutes from the D.C./Virginia area to every Steelers home game.

He understood. He lined me up with seats that are way out of my league. They are 15 rows behind the Seahawks' bench on the 45-yard line. Section 128, row 15, seats 6 and 7.

With the help of my brother and sister, I could go! Mike and I had to complete the mission.

Win or lose, the game has to be played. It's a gamble to go, but I'd like to say I swung for the fence. The tickets were a phenomenal deal, but still more than Jeff wanted to spend. Hopefully, he makes it.

The experience this entire weekend will provide something way more valuable than money. Something no one can ever take away from me. The memories I create this weekend will be with me forever, it feels like a dream each and every second I think about it.

And dreams do come true.