February 23, 2022 • 24 mins
Time Machine: James Farrior, Feb. 23, 2022
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome Steeler Nation. I'm stand Severeian and with me is
one of the newest members of the Steelers Hall of Honor,
James Ferrier. James, great to see. How are you glad
to be here? I'm doing well, great, great big doings
here with the Steelers. UM. People may have forgotten that
you're a number one draft choice in the New York
Jets eighth overall as a matter of fact. Uh so,
(00:23):
a high pedigree guy coming out of u v A. UM,
you spent your first five years with the Jets and
you find your way to the Steelers. How did that
all transpire? Uh? Yeah, Like you said, I was a
first round draft pick, number eight pick overall for the
New York Jets, and you know, I enjoyed my time there.
It was a great learning experience for me. But overall,
(00:45):
I don't think I played as well as I thought
I should have. And you know, things didn't work out
at the ends as quiet as I thought it would.
And you know, I became a free agent and Pittsburgh
was one of the teams that showed the most interests
and that's how it ended up. Yeah, there were other teams.
What was it about Pittsburgh that you thought might be
more attractive. Well, Hall, to tell you the truth, they
(01:07):
were the first team that offered me a contract, and
they they were pretty much the only team that had
money on the table to offer me a contract to
come play. And I felt like that that was enough
motivation for me to make the deal done. Get the
deal done. So a bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush. Yeah, yeah, take it while you
can get. Being a free agent, that was a lonely process. Man.
(01:29):
I thought it was gonna go fast, but it didn't
work out how I thought it would. And you know, things,
uh just took a little bit too long, a bit
of a bit of time than I thought it expected
it to be. So you know, it all worked out
in the end. Well, James is considered Kevin Colberg's greatest
free agent signing and that that exists to this day. Um,
(01:51):
what was it about, not only coming to Pittsburgh and
the legacy here of great defense and more in particular
James great linebacking play. Uh? In addition to that, the
fact that they after a while, not initially as I recall,
they moved you inside. Is that where you probably where
you're at at your best. I feel that I played
(02:14):
my best football when I was inside. I played outside
linebacker on the line of scrimmage, uh my first few
years at the Jets, and it was a position that
I was uncomfortable with and not used to, and it
took me a lot of learning and adjustments to make.
And I think that had a little bit to do with,
you know, my success on the field. And once I
(02:34):
moved to inside, and I felt like I was a
better player when I could see what was going on
and react from that instead of just having to be
right now. When you're on the line of scrimmage, everything
happens immediately. So I think moving back a little bit
and give me time to process things help my career
out of line. Was your mobility better utilized in that
(02:57):
regard inside as opposed to outside. I felt like that.
I feel like, you know, having me in space and
uh keeping me off the ball helped me out tremendously. Now,
what does that mean in terms of your responsibilities and
past coverage? Uh, it meant a lot more responsibility and
past coverage. You know, I had to take on a
lot of tight end coverage, is a lot of one
(03:18):
on one with running backs, and UH, it wasn't the best.
I probably wasn't the best at it, but I did
my best, and uh, I had some pretty good matchups
with tight ends and running backs and UH, overall, I
think I did okay. You know, I'm wondering also one
of the moves they made, not initially you were right
inside linebacker and then you up moving to left and
(03:39):
side linebacker. What was behind that? Uh? I don't know.
I think the coaches felt that, you know, they made
a decision. It didn't didn't make a difference for me,
and uh, I don't think it affected the team in
any negative way. So I was fine with the move,
and you know, I had trust and confidence that they
would put me in the best. But it is to
(04:00):
make plays. The first two years you're here, the Steelers
do not make the playoffs after being in the a
f C Champion Game and two thousand one and losing
uh to the Patriots. Sorry to bring that up, uh,
but two thousand four was a magical year. Everybody knows
the story about Ben coming in as a rookie. Uh,
(04:20):
you go fifteen and one, but it's also a magical
year for you. You are in second place beyond d
Reid for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. You
had four interceptions and one comes to mind. You returned
at forty one yards for a touchdown. Do you remember
that play? Uh? Well, I know the only testdown I
(04:41):
had was the Cincinnati games, So I mean, yeah, I
do remember that play, and uh, as the excited player
helped us win the game. So I was really excited
about that. But you know, Uh, did you pick off
Carson Palmer? You had to be It had to be Palmer,
I believe even was, and uh, yeah, I think so.
(05:04):
But two thousand four, again, the Patriots come to town. Uh,
And I'm wondering the two thousand four lost to New
England on home field, did that serve as not only
for you, but for the entire team, as any kind
of springboard for what was about to come in two
thousand five? Yeah, I think looking back on it, we
(05:25):
didn't know it at the time. Everybody was really disappointed
in the loss. We we had great expectations. We were
fifteen and one and nobody thought we could lose, and
we gotta bus be pretty bad, uh that weekend and
every I think from that moment on, I think we
kind of bonded even closer. I think that brought us
(05:46):
together even more, and I think we were all determined
and had the same focus that next year going into it.
That year, well, with all that having been said, here
you are three quarters the way through the seasons, should
at seven and five and in real danger of not
even making the playoffs. Uh, you then went on one
of the most spectacular successful runs in NFL history. Um,
(06:10):
after dropping to seven and five, you as a team captain,
you as a team lead, what was said? It wasn't
really too much to say at that point. You know,
we were ride and high. Like you said, we were
seven into at one point, and then we lost three
straight and that was very frustrating, disappointing, and I think
(06:30):
our backs were against the wall. We couldn't lose another
game or we weren't going to make it to the playoffs.
So I think we all had the mindset that our
playoffs were started now, and it started in that uh
the last four games, and it we went boom boom boom,
step by step, and uh, by the time we made
it to the playoffs, we were we were are all
(06:51):
hitting up all four cylinders and it was amazing. Well,
speaking of boom, boom boom of that four game stretch,
I would guess and the Steeler fans out there can
help me that the one play that will stand out
is when Jerome in the snow ran over Brian Urlocker,
and I wondered if the team got a lift from that,
(07:13):
you had to win the game. But that was classic
a snow globe of Steeler football. You know, at the time,
Jerome was finishing up his career. It was his last year,
and uh we knew it was. It was he wasn't
really the most important part of the team. He was
one of our big pieces, but he wasn't really running
(07:34):
the ball, as you know, he wasn't a full time starter,
so you know, he came in when we needed him
the most, and you know, it was his type of game.
It was like you said, it was snowing and the
weather was cold, and who wants to tackle Jerome Bettison
the cold snow and he had him one of the
most amazing days and it definitely lifted up our group
(07:55):
when he made that touchdown. We're going back to the
beginning of the season. One of the big storyline was
after two thousand and four to defeat the an F
C Championship game. Um, there was a team meeting, remember
Heine's word being in tears, pleading with Jerome to come back.
And I wonder if the fact that Jerome was coming
back for what everybody assumed would be his last year
was also a motivating factor wanting to send him out
(08:17):
as a winner. Oh of course, I mean Band made
him the promise that he would have him in the
championship if he came back. So we didn't want to
let Band down and we didn't want to make him
out to be a liar. So well, let's get to
the playoffs and the game again. It was a remarkable run.
Ben really came to four people expect you to run.
He came out, especially in Denver, and passed. But before then,
(08:40):
there's the Indianapolis game. Things are going well, um, and
speaking of Jerome, it looks like things are gonna get
wrapped up, and of course he fumbles. Ben makes the
game saving tackle. I mean, everybody was in shock, and
I wonder you may have been the only guy in
the entire building in Indianapolis that wasn't shocked and kept
your wits? Are you well? Like I'll admit I was.
(09:02):
I was shocked to uh during the play and when
the play was happening, Uh, we were on the sideline.
The defense was on the sideline, feeling good about ourselves
that we had stopped them on fourth down, and we
were turning the fans. We probably would get a penalty
for that nowadays, for taunting. Yeah, making fun of the
fans and waving them, giving them waves goodbye. And all
(09:26):
of a sudden, we're here. The crowd just go crazy.
They just something happened and we all turned around and
see this guy running down the field and Ben makes
a great play, and Uh, as we're going out on
as we're about to go out on defense, I just
get all my whis back with me and I go
(09:46):
to coach Lebau and he's still a little bit out
of it, trying to figure out what he needs to do.
And Uh, I'm like, hey, coach, let's go, let's go
win this game. And I think he came back to
and he called a couple of great plays and seal
the deal. So you didn't actually see Jerome fumble the ball.
I didn't see the fumbo. No, I didn't see the fumbo.
(10:07):
I was like, okay, we're on the one yard line.
The game is over, Jerome is about the running then
for a testdown and it's it. So I didn't even
think twice about anything else happening other than that. So
it was definitely a surprise. Did you say that, Dick, coach,
what's the call? Give me the call? Yes? I did, Yes,
I did. He was a little I think he was
steal in shock a little bit, and uh, yeah, I
(10:30):
was ready to go. I knew we had to we
had to go finish the game, and I definitely wanted
to go finish the game. Of course, Dick Lebo legendary
in the Hall of Fame, certainly in the Animal Steeler history. Uh,
you know a couple of things, Um, you came out.
I guess it was a Joey porter orchestrated everybody wearing
(10:50):
Dick Lebo jersey's. Yes, that was Joey's idea. He Uh,
he was a good team captain in that aspect. He
always knew the right thing to do at the right time.
And you know that was one of those times. Now
you're on a roll, you've won the four regular season games,
you know you're moving forward in the playoffs. You're going
to Denver and dominate the game from the get go.
(11:10):
Heading into Detroit with at that point that kind of
winning streak, did you feel like nothing can stop us? Now? Uh,
we felt pretty good. We felt pretty good. We thought
we were we were doing pretty well, and we had
a lot of momentum going into the super Bowl, and
like we didn't really think about winning the game. We
(11:33):
just thought about, you know, this is another another game
in the in the journey, and this is the this
is the one we need to you know, be our best.
Before the kickoff, people are well aware it's one of
the great scenes in NFL history. You're in Detroit, you
have an idea, it's gonna be Jerome's last game, He's
in his hometown. And was it a team leader decision
(11:56):
or was that Joey again who said, don't tell Jerome
when he introduced the team. Let him run out there
by himself. That was all joy again. Like I said before,
he's he knows when, what time, and when to do
it and another perfect moment for him. He I don't
know how he got it. It was his all his idea.
He came up with it while we were in the tunnel,
(12:16):
I believe. And he was like everybody go back, let
your own go. So he didn't make the call until
you're actually in the tunnel. It wasn't discussed during the week, No,
I don't. I don't remember discussing that. It may have
came up, but I sure don't remember. And I think
he did in I think he did it in the tunnel.
It was a split decision because you can't ask fifty
(12:39):
three guys secret, right. Yeah, so you entered the field. Um,
the Seattle game was interesting. It was a tough game. Um,
the offense struggled a bit. Uh, but the great play
by Willie Parker, Um, the Antoine Randolt touchdown about two
big plays. But you really play stifling defense that day.
(13:02):
We played good defense, and uh, you know, during that
playoff round, we had to go against the number one,
number two, and number three offense in the in the
league that year, so we were prepared. I think, uh
Seattle ended up being a number one. We already played
the two and three and Seattle was the top dog.
So we took a little bit of motivation and that
(13:22):
aspect of it too, that you know, we wanted to
finish our season being the top top three teams in
the offense in the NFL, everybody wants to be a champion,
but wasn't made especially sweeter because you had experienced such
a disappointment in two thousand four, oh especially especially made
(13:42):
it more gratifying to have that after the year we
had before. Two thousand and four was definitely a disappointed year.
And like I said that, it brought us closer together,
and I think we appreciated that championship a lot more.
Everybody will remember Bill Cower, understand with the late Dan
Rooney rushed the soul, the confetti coming down, But I'm wondering,
(14:05):
at the moment the game was over, everybody wants to
win a championship. Can you recall what you felt at
that moment? Oh man? Words can't even describe how I felt.
I was just so overwhelmed. It didn't really it was
like a dream come true. I didn't really know what
to say, what they expect, and how to react. And
(14:28):
what's funny is right after the game, I got escorted
off the field right away into the media session, and
uh so I didn't really get to be a part
of all the celebration after the game, the confetti and everybody,
your family down on the field. I didn't really get
to get to be a part of that. And that
was one thing that I was very disappointed in because
(14:48):
when I came back from the interviews, everything was over.
So that was one thing I learned from the Super
Bowl that I didn't want to make that mistake the
second time, or if I ever got back again, which
didn't the next time, which you did. See. Happy to
talk to the media always has a negative, negative connotation. Um,
(15:09):
two thousand six is not a good year. It's Bill
Kawer's last year. Mike Tomlin comes in and oh seven, Um,
if you can specify what changed to different people, two
highly successful people, one in the Hall of Fame, one
likely to be in the Hall of Fame. But what
was different when Mike came in in two thousand seven
(15:29):
from Bill Kauer in the years that you played for him. Um,
I just think it was just, you know, everything was
new with UH coach Thomas. He had new energy, he
had new coaching philosophies, he had, you know, a lot
of new things that coach. There were a lot of
similar things, but just a little bit of a little
(15:50):
bit of difference, just enough to make every bed aware
that this is something different and I don't think it
was something really big. It was just a different attitude,
just new energy, and uh, I think it was something
that we needed two thousand and eight. It's a great year,
ends up the best way it possibly can. But in
(16:11):
that process, I recall that that defense in two thousand
and eight was being compared to the great Steel Curtain
defenses of the seventies. Did you feel that way? I
thought we were really good. I thought we had one
of the best units have that I've been a part
of and my whole career here, it was that two
(16:32):
thousand and eight year, and we were pretty dominant. I
don't know if we were dominant as those teams that
we were getting compared to, but we were pretty close.
But you know, those guys said the standard, you know,
for pretty much the whole NFL, how it is to
be a be a good defense. So you know, we
(16:53):
could never uh do the things that those guys did
back in the day, but we try our best. Five
six Hall of famers that'll uh, that'll get your get
your attention. Uh. Playing in Pittsburgh, whether it was the
Three Rivers uh, and certainly at hines Field, UM, it
can be a magical experience. And I know in our
(17:14):
past conversations, um, of all the big games that were
played there, the championship games, the great games, I know
that you've sought and brought out the atmosphere at the
championship game against the Ravens. You oh wait, maybe it's
the one that sticks out in your mind is the
most electric? Oh for sure. You know the Ravens. That's
(17:35):
our biggest rivalry. We love competing against those guys. We
had a home game and you know, what better way
to get to the super Bow than beat your oars
and Nemesis. So it was pretty special. I think everybody
will still see Troy and the hair flying off the
back of the Monmouth on that interception return. Take us
back to that play. What do you remember about it?
(17:57):
I remember we scored to take the lead and it's
not a lot of time left and you know, it's
our time to shine again. And we felt like, you know,
we had everything ready to go, and we thought that
we were going to close the game out. I didn't
think we were closing out in that type of fashion.
But you know, Troyes, you know, the player that he is,
came up with a big play when we needed it
(18:19):
and the rest is I mean, the rest was history.
It was very exciting play and I still haven't been
to a game or been a part of atmosphere that
that was that that electric? What was it about it?
I mean there had been an FC champion games there before.
What was it about that one? In particular? It was
a hard, funk game, It was a close game throughout. Yeah,
(18:39):
it was very cold, uh yeah, And I think it
was a very low scoring game. And like I said before,
going against the Ravens in the championship game, where you
wouldn't have it any other way, James, the Steelers and
the Ravens um the bitterest of rivals, largely because there's
(18:59):
all something at stake, regular season playoffs, exhibition, trainee camp, scrimming,
whatever it is. And I also wonder if it's because
both teams like to play the same way. We both
have the same mentality. We both have a sort of
a bully mentality that we try to impose our will
(19:20):
on teams. And they were the same way as we were.
Were mirror images of each other. So I think those
those games brought out the best in both of us.
And it was funny because I recently saw ray Lewis
uh as some at a function recently, and uh he
was talking about the rivalries and how those were probably
(19:41):
some of the best games of his life. And you know,
ray Lewis is one of the guys I looked up
to when I was coming out, and he's one of
the best linebackers ever to do it, and he chashes
those uh, those big games. Was there an animosity among
the players or just the rather large dose of mutual respect.
It was a very large dose of mutual respect. We
(20:03):
both had the utmost respect, but we love to hate
each other, so you know, we never really uh never
really get into anything crazy. But during the during the
plays and between the lines and on the between the whistles,
it was. It was some tough football. You know, you
(20:25):
talked about Joey Porter, but most people regard you um
as the spiritual leader of that team. Is that a
mantle that you accepted and that you enjoyed? Uh? Yeah,
well you said you said it right when you said
Joy was the I think he was the heartbeat of
this team when he was here, and nobody I don't
(20:47):
think anybody can dispute that. But you know, when he left,
there was a void, and you know, I was one
of the older players on the team, so I felt
there was a responsibility of mine to, you know, try
to do everything I could to try to lead the
team the way Joey did and you know, try to
put my little spin to it because you were one
(21:07):
of the elders on the team. Was the OH eight
super Bowl win over Arizona um sweeter than the one
over Seattle and OH five? I would say, so, you know,
the first time, you can never you know, get that
feeling back again. But you know, I think that second
(21:29):
super Bowl was definitely a little bit more gratifying for
me personally because I felt like I had a lot
more of my a lot more of my personality on
the team. Two more questions about that maybe the greatest
play in Super Bowl history. Where were you on the
James Harrison hunter and two yards interception return. I was
(21:52):
watching as a watching him. I was behind, I was
in the end zone when he caught the ball a
little deeper than he was and I started to run
to go try to pick up some blocks and I
got pulled down by my neck brace from the back
and that took me out of the player early on.
So I was a spectator of the whole pretty much
(22:14):
the whole ride down the field, and it was an
amazing run. It was every every player that was out
there was, you know, doing everything they could to get
James into the end zone. And he made a great run.
He had to if because the clock and run out,
otherwise just an interception. That was the scariest part of it.
We saw the clock running now and now I wanted
(22:35):
him to get out of bounds so we could try
to kick a field goal. And because I didn't think
he was gonna make it, it was a long way
to go, and uh, he had different ideas. So I'm
glad he he didn't think like I was thinking, and
he took it all the way. Did you actually see
him score? Could you tell from where you're at? Yes, Well,
I saw him. I saw him fall into the end zone.
(22:55):
I didn't know if h. Fitz Gerald was on top
of them all the way, so we had to wait
and see see the replay. But they called it a
touchdown and when he when he did get into the
end zone, so I felt good about that. That may
have been exhaustion as much as down. I'm glad it
was halftime after that because everybody was really tired. And
(23:20):
did you have a good look at Santonio's catching the
corner of the end zone. No, not at all. I
didn't have a good look. I was on the sitting
on the bench, and and it happened on on our sidelines,
so I didn't have any type of view. And when
he called the ball and it called touchdown, everybody was
screaming and going crazy. I think probably half of the
(23:40):
defense was just like did he really catch it? Like
that looked really high. I don't know if he got
his feet and bounds. And we just sat on the
bench and waited for the replay and it didn't take long,
so that was pretty good. You played fifteen years in
the NFL, ten with the Steelers. You're clear identified with
(24:00):
the Steelers, and I wondered, um it was a fortuitous
marriage you and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Do you feel like
you just fit the culture, not only the team, but
of the city, the Rooney family, the ownership group, and
just the entire vibe around Steelers football. Everything you just said,
I think it was just a perfect fit. I think
(24:23):
I was meant to play for the Steelers. I like
to say that nowadays but uh, it was. It was
a great. It was just an outstanding experience the Rooney
family just from the they started, they started it and
from then you just it just trickles down from the coaches,
the staff, the players, equipment people, the medical staff, everybody,
(24:47):
the media. I mean, it's just infectious and being a
part of this is one of the greatest experiences of
my life.
Welcome Steeler Nation. I'm stand Severeian and with me is
one of the newest members of the Steelers Hall of Honor,
James Ferrier. James, great to see. How are you glad
to be here? I'm doing well, great, great big doings
here with the Steelers. UM. People may have forgotten that
you're a number one draft choice in the New York
Jets eighth overall as a matter of fact. Uh so,
(00:23):
a high pedigree guy coming out of u v A. UM,
you spent your first five years with the Jets and
you find your way to the Steelers. How did that
all transpire? Uh? Yeah, Like you said, I was a
first round draft pick, number eight pick overall for the
New York Jets, and you know, I enjoyed my time there.
It was a great learning experience for me. But overall,
(00:45):
I don't think I played as well as I thought
I should have. And you know, things didn't work out
at the ends as quiet as I thought it would.
And you know, I became a free agent and Pittsburgh
was one of the teams that showed the most interests
and that's how it ended up. Yeah, there were other teams.
What was it about Pittsburgh that you thought might be
more attractive. Well, Hall, to tell you the truth, they
(01:07):
were the first team that offered me a contract, and
they they were pretty much the only team that had
money on the table to offer me a contract to
come play. And I felt like that that was enough
motivation for me to make the deal done. Get the
deal done. So a bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush. Yeah, yeah, take it while you
can get. Being a free agent, that was a lonely process. Man.
(01:29):
I thought it was gonna go fast, but it didn't
work out how I thought it would. And you know, things,
uh just took a little bit too long, a bit
of a bit of time than I thought it expected
it to be. So you know, it all worked out
in the end. Well, James is considered Kevin Colberg's greatest
free agent signing and that that exists to this day. Um,
(01:51):
what was it about, not only coming to Pittsburgh and
the legacy here of great defense and more in particular
James great linebacking play. Uh? In addition to that, the
fact that they after a while, not initially as I recall,
they moved you inside. Is that where you probably where
you're at at your best. I feel that I played
(02:14):
my best football when I was inside. I played outside
linebacker on the line of scrimmage, uh my first few
years at the Jets, and it was a position that
I was uncomfortable with and not used to, and it
took me a lot of learning and adjustments to make.
And I think that had a little bit to do with,
you know, my success on the field. And once I
(02:34):
moved to inside, and I felt like I was a
better player when I could see what was going on
and react from that instead of just having to be
right now. When you're on the line of scrimmage, everything
happens immediately. So I think moving back a little bit
and give me time to process things help my career
out of line. Was your mobility better utilized in that
(02:57):
regard inside as opposed to outside. I felt like that.
I feel like, you know, having me in space and
uh keeping me off the ball helped me out tremendously. Now,
what does that mean in terms of your responsibilities and
past coverage? Uh, it meant a lot more responsibility and
past coverage. You know, I had to take on a
lot of tight end coverage, is a lot of one
(03:18):
on one with running backs, and UH, it wasn't the best.
I probably wasn't the best at it, but I did
my best, and uh, I had some pretty good matchups
with tight ends and running backs and UH, overall, I
think I did okay. You know, I'm wondering also one
of the moves they made, not initially you were right
inside linebacker and then you up moving to left and
(03:39):
side linebacker. What was behind that? Uh? I don't know.
I think the coaches felt that, you know, they made
a decision. It didn't didn't make a difference for me,
and uh, I don't think it affected the team in
any negative way. So I was fine with the move,
and you know, I had trust and confidence that they
would put me in the best. But it is to
(04:00):
make plays. The first two years you're here, the Steelers
do not make the playoffs after being in the a
f C Champion Game and two thousand one and losing
uh to the Patriots. Sorry to bring that up, uh,
but two thousand four was a magical year. Everybody knows
the story about Ben coming in as a rookie. Uh,
(04:20):
you go fifteen and one, but it's also a magical
year for you. You are in second place beyond d
Reid for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. You
had four interceptions and one comes to mind. You returned
at forty one yards for a touchdown. Do you remember
that play? Uh? Well, I know the only testdown I
(04:41):
had was the Cincinnati games, So I mean, yeah, I
do remember that play, and uh, as the excited player
helped us win the game. So I was really excited
about that. But you know, Uh, did you pick off
Carson Palmer? You had to be It had to be Palmer,
I believe even was, and uh, yeah, I think so.
(05:04):
But two thousand four, again, the Patriots come to town. Uh,
And I'm wondering the two thousand four lost to New
England on home field, did that serve as not only
for you, but for the entire team, as any kind
of springboard for what was about to come in two
thousand five? Yeah, I think looking back on it, we
(05:25):
didn't know it at the time. Everybody was really disappointed
in the loss. We we had great expectations. We were
fifteen and one and nobody thought we could lose, and
we gotta bus be pretty bad, uh that weekend and
every I think from that moment on, I think we
kind of bonded even closer. I think that brought us
(05:46):
together even more, and I think we were all determined
and had the same focus that next year going into it.
That year, well, with all that having been said, here
you are three quarters the way through the seasons, should
at seven and five and in real danger of not
even making the playoffs. Uh, you then went on one
of the most spectacular successful runs in NFL history. Um,
(06:10):
after dropping to seven and five, you as a team captain,
you as a team lead, what was said? It wasn't
really too much to say at that point. You know,
we were ride and high. Like you said, we were
seven into at one point, and then we lost three
straight and that was very frustrating, disappointing, and I think
(06:30):
our backs were against the wall. We couldn't lose another
game or we weren't going to make it to the playoffs.
So I think we all had the mindset that our
playoffs were started now, and it started in that uh
the last four games, and it we went boom boom boom,
step by step, and uh, by the time we made
it to the playoffs, we were we were are all
(06:51):
hitting up all four cylinders and it was amazing. Well,
speaking of boom, boom boom of that four game stretch,
I would guess and the Steeler fans out there can
help me that the one play that will stand out
is when Jerome in the snow ran over Brian Urlocker,
and I wondered if the team got a lift from that,
(07:13):
you had to win the game. But that was classic
a snow globe of Steeler football. You know, at the time,
Jerome was finishing up his career. It was his last year,
and uh we knew it was. It was he wasn't
really the most important part of the team. He was
one of our big pieces, but he wasn't really running
(07:34):
the ball, as you know, he wasn't a full time starter,
so you know, he came in when we needed him
the most, and you know, it was his type of game.
It was like you said, it was snowing and the
weather was cold, and who wants to tackle Jerome Bettison
the cold snow and he had him one of the
most amazing days and it definitely lifted up our group
(07:55):
when he made that touchdown. We're going back to the
beginning of the season. One of the big storyline was
after two thousand and four to defeat the an F
C Championship game. Um, there was a team meeting, remember
Heine's word being in tears, pleading with Jerome to come back.
And I wonder if the fact that Jerome was coming
back for what everybody assumed would be his last year
was also a motivating factor wanting to send him out
(08:17):
as a winner. Oh of course, I mean Band made
him the promise that he would have him in the
championship if he came back. So we didn't want to
let Band down and we didn't want to make him
out to be a liar. So well, let's get to
the playoffs and the game again. It was a remarkable run.
Ben really came to four people expect you to run.
He came out, especially in Denver, and passed. But before then,
(08:40):
there's the Indianapolis game. Things are going well, um, and
speaking of Jerome, it looks like things are gonna get
wrapped up, and of course he fumbles. Ben makes the
game saving tackle. I mean, everybody was in shock, and
I wonder you may have been the only guy in
the entire building in Indianapolis that wasn't shocked and kept
your wits? Are you well? Like I'll admit I was.
(09:02):
I was shocked to uh during the play and when
the play was happening, Uh, we were on the sideline.
The defense was on the sideline, feeling good about ourselves
that we had stopped them on fourth down, and we
were turning the fans. We probably would get a penalty
for that nowadays, for taunting. Yeah, making fun of the
fans and waving them, giving them waves goodbye. And all
(09:26):
of a sudden, we're here. The crowd just go crazy.
They just something happened and we all turned around and
see this guy running down the field and Ben makes
a great play, and Uh, as we're going out on
as we're about to go out on defense, I just
get all my whis back with me and I go
(09:46):
to coach Lebau and he's still a little bit out
of it, trying to figure out what he needs to do.
And Uh, I'm like, hey, coach, let's go, let's go
win this game. And I think he came back to
and he called a couple of great plays and seal
the deal. So you didn't actually see Jerome fumble the ball.
I didn't see the fumbo. No, I didn't see the fumbo.
(10:07):
I was like, okay, we're on the one yard line.
The game is over, Jerome is about the running then
for a testdown and it's it. So I didn't even
think twice about anything else happening other than that. So
it was definitely a surprise. Did you say that, Dick, coach,
what's the call? Give me the call? Yes? I did, Yes,
I did. He was a little I think he was
steal in shock a little bit, and uh, yeah, I
(10:30):
was ready to go. I knew we had to we
had to go finish the game, and I definitely wanted
to go finish the game. Of course, Dick Lebo legendary
in the Hall of Fame, certainly in the Animal Steeler history. Uh,
you know a couple of things, Um, you came out.
I guess it was a Joey porter orchestrated everybody wearing
(10:50):
Dick Lebo jersey's. Yes, that was Joey's idea. He Uh,
he was a good team captain in that aspect. He
always knew the right thing to do at the right time.
And you know that was one of those times. Now
you're on a roll, you've won the four regular season games,
you know you're moving forward in the playoffs. You're going
to Denver and dominate the game from the get go.
(11:10):
Heading into Detroit with at that point that kind of
winning streak, did you feel like nothing can stop us? Now? Uh,
we felt pretty good. We felt pretty good. We thought
we were we were doing pretty well, and we had
a lot of momentum going into the super Bowl, and
like we didn't really think about winning the game. We
(11:33):
just thought about, you know, this is another another game
in the in the journey, and this is the this
is the one we need to you know, be our best.
Before the kickoff, people are well aware it's one of
the great scenes in NFL history. You're in Detroit, you
have an idea, it's gonna be Jerome's last game, He's
in his hometown. And was it a team leader decision
(11:56):
or was that Joey again who said, don't tell Jerome
when he introduced the team. Let him run out there
by himself. That was all joy again. Like I said before,
he's he knows when, what time, and when to do
it and another perfect moment for him. He I don't
know how he got it. It was his all his idea.
He came up with it while we were in the tunnel,
(12:16):
I believe. And he was like everybody go back, let
your own go. So he didn't make the call until
you're actually in the tunnel. It wasn't discussed during the week, No,
I don't. I don't remember discussing that. It may have
came up, but I sure don't remember. And I think
he did in I think he did it in the tunnel.
It was a split decision because you can't ask fifty
(12:39):
three guys secret, right. Yeah, so you entered the field. Um,
the Seattle game was interesting. It was a tough game. Um,
the offense struggled a bit. Uh, but the great play
by Willie Parker, Um, the Antoine Randolt touchdown about two
big plays. But you really play stifling defense that day.
(13:02):
We played good defense, and uh, you know, during that
playoff round, we had to go against the number one,
number two, and number three offense in the in the
league that year, so we were prepared. I think, uh
Seattle ended up being a number one. We already played
the two and three and Seattle was the top dog.
So we took a little bit of motivation and that
(13:22):
aspect of it too, that you know, we wanted to
finish our season being the top top three teams in
the offense in the NFL, everybody wants to be a champion,
but wasn't made especially sweeter because you had experienced such
a disappointment in two thousand four, oh especially especially made
(13:42):
it more gratifying to have that after the year we
had before. Two thousand and four was definitely a disappointed year.
And like I said that, it brought us closer together,
and I think we appreciated that championship a lot more.
Everybody will remember Bill Cower, understand with the late Dan
Rooney rushed the soul, the confetti coming down, But I'm wondering,
(14:05):
at the moment the game was over, everybody wants to
win a championship. Can you recall what you felt at
that moment? Oh man? Words can't even describe how I felt.
I was just so overwhelmed. It didn't really it was
like a dream come true. I didn't really know what
to say, what they expect, and how to react. And
(14:28):
what's funny is right after the game, I got escorted
off the field right away into the media session, and
uh so I didn't really get to be a part
of all the celebration after the game, the confetti and everybody,
your family down on the field. I didn't really get
to get to be a part of that. And that
was one thing that I was very disappointed in because
(14:48):
when I came back from the interviews, everything was over.
So that was one thing I learned from the Super
Bowl that I didn't want to make that mistake the
second time, or if I ever got back again, which
didn't the next time, which you did. See. Happy to
talk to the media always has a negative, negative connotation. Um,
(15:09):
two thousand six is not a good year. It's Bill
Kawer's last year. Mike Tomlin comes in and oh seven, Um,
if you can specify what changed to different people, two
highly successful people, one in the Hall of Fame, one
likely to be in the Hall of Fame. But what
was different when Mike came in in two thousand seven
(15:29):
from Bill Kauer in the years that you played for him. Um,
I just think it was just, you know, everything was
new with UH coach Thomas. He had new energy, he
had new coaching philosophies, he had, you know, a lot
of new things that coach. There were a lot of
similar things, but just a little bit of a little
(15:50):
bit of difference, just enough to make every bed aware
that this is something different and I don't think it
was something really big. It was just a different attitude,
just new energy, and uh, I think it was something
that we needed two thousand and eight. It's a great year,
ends up the best way it possibly can. But in
(16:11):
that process, I recall that that defense in two thousand
and eight was being compared to the great Steel Curtain
defenses of the seventies. Did you feel that way? I
thought we were really good. I thought we had one
of the best units have that I've been a part
of and my whole career here, it was that two
(16:32):
thousand and eight year, and we were pretty dominant. I
don't know if we were dominant as those teams that
we were getting compared to, but we were pretty close.
But you know, those guys said the standard, you know,
for pretty much the whole NFL, how it is to
be a be a good defense. So you know, we
(16:53):
could never uh do the things that those guys did
back in the day, but we try our best. Five
six Hall of famers that'll uh, that'll get your get
your attention. Uh. Playing in Pittsburgh, whether it was the
Three Rivers uh, and certainly at hines Field, UM, it
can be a magical experience. And I know in our
(17:14):
past conversations, um, of all the big games that were
played there, the championship games, the great games, I know
that you've sought and brought out the atmosphere at the
championship game against the Ravens. You oh wait, maybe it's
the one that sticks out in your mind is the
most electric? Oh for sure. You know the Ravens. That's
(17:35):
our biggest rivalry. We love competing against those guys. We
had a home game and you know, what better way
to get to the super Bow than beat your oars
and Nemesis. So it was pretty special. I think everybody
will still see Troy and the hair flying off the
back of the Monmouth on that interception return. Take us
back to that play. What do you remember about it?
(17:57):
I remember we scored to take the lead and it's
not a lot of time left and you know, it's
our time to shine again. And we felt like, you know,
we had everything ready to go, and we thought that
we were going to close the game out. I didn't
think we were closing out in that type of fashion.
But you know, Troyes, you know, the player that he is,
came up with a big play when we needed it
(18:19):
and the rest is I mean, the rest was history.
It was very exciting play and I still haven't been
to a game or been a part of atmosphere that
that was that that electric? What was it about it?
I mean there had been an FC champion games there before.
What was it about that one? In particular? It was
a hard, funk game, It was a close game throughout. Yeah,
(18:39):
it was very cold, uh yeah, And I think it
was a very low scoring game. And like I said before,
going against the Ravens in the championship game, where you
wouldn't have it any other way, James, the Steelers and
the Ravens um the bitterest of rivals, largely because there's
(18:59):
all something at stake, regular season playoffs, exhibition, trainee camp, scrimming,
whatever it is. And I also wonder if it's because
both teams like to play the same way. We both
have the same mentality. We both have a sort of
a bully mentality that we try to impose our will
(19:20):
on teams. And they were the same way as we were.
Were mirror images of each other. So I think those
those games brought out the best in both of us.
And it was funny because I recently saw ray Lewis
uh as some at a function recently, and uh he
was talking about the rivalries and how those were probably
(19:41):
some of the best games of his life. And you know,
ray Lewis is one of the guys I looked up
to when I was coming out, and he's one of
the best linebackers ever to do it, and he chashes
those uh, those big games. Was there an animosity among
the players or just the rather large dose of mutual respect.
It was a very large dose of mutual respect. We
(20:03):
both had the utmost respect, but we love to hate
each other, so you know, we never really uh never
really get into anything crazy. But during the during the
plays and between the lines and on the between the whistles,
it was. It was some tough football. You know, you
(20:25):
talked about Joey Porter, but most people regard you um
as the spiritual leader of that team. Is that a
mantle that you accepted and that you enjoyed? Uh? Yeah,
well you said you said it right when you said
Joy was the I think he was the heartbeat of
this team when he was here, and nobody I don't
(20:47):
think anybody can dispute that. But you know, when he left,
there was a void, and you know, I was one
of the older players on the team, so I felt
there was a responsibility of mine to, you know, try
to do everything I could to try to lead the
team the way Joey did and you know, try to
put my little spin to it because you were one
(21:07):
of the elders on the team. Was the OH eight
super Bowl win over Arizona um sweeter than the one
over Seattle and OH five? I would say, so, you know,
the first time, you can never you know, get that
feeling back again. But you know, I think that second
(21:29):
super Bowl was definitely a little bit more gratifying for
me personally because I felt like I had a lot
more of my a lot more of my personality on
the team. Two more questions about that maybe the greatest
play in Super Bowl history. Where were you on the
James Harrison hunter and two yards interception return. I was
(21:52):
watching as a watching him. I was behind, I was
in the end zone when he caught the ball a
little deeper than he was and I started to run
to go try to pick up some blocks and I
got pulled down by my neck brace from the back
and that took me out of the player early on.
So I was a spectator of the whole pretty much
(22:14):
the whole ride down the field, and it was an
amazing run. It was every every player that was out
there was, you know, doing everything they could to get
James into the end zone. And he made a great run.
He had to if because the clock and run out,
otherwise just an interception. That was the scariest part of it.
We saw the clock running now and now I wanted
(22:35):
him to get out of bounds so we could try
to kick a field goal. And because I didn't think
he was gonna make it, it was a long way
to go, and uh, he had different ideas. So I'm
glad he he didn't think like I was thinking, and
he took it all the way. Did you actually see
him score? Could you tell from where you're at? Yes, Well,
I saw him. I saw him fall into the end zone.
(22:55):
I didn't know if h. Fitz Gerald was on top
of them all the way, so we had to wait
and see see the replay. But they called it a
touchdown and when he when he did get into the
end zone, so I felt good about that. That may
have been exhaustion as much as down. I'm glad it
was halftime after that because everybody was really tired. And
(23:20):
did you have a good look at Santonio's catching the
corner of the end zone. No, not at all. I
didn't have a good look. I was on the sitting
on the bench, and and it happened on on our sidelines,
so I didn't have any type of view. And when
he called the ball and it called touchdown, everybody was
screaming and going crazy. I think probably half of the
(23:40):
defense was just like did he really catch it? Like
that looked really high. I don't know if he got
his feet and bounds. And we just sat on the
bench and waited for the replay and it didn't take long,
so that was pretty good. You played fifteen years in
the NFL, ten with the Steelers. You're clear identified with
(24:00):
the Steelers, and I wondered, um it was a fortuitous
marriage you and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Do you feel like
you just fit the culture, not only the team, but
of the city, the Rooney family, the ownership group, and
just the entire vibe around Steelers football. Everything you just said,
I think it was just a perfect fit. I think
(24:23):
I was meant to play for the Steelers. I like
to say that nowadays but uh, it was. It was
a great. It was just an outstanding experience the Rooney
family just from the they started, they started it and
from then you just it just trickles down from the coaches,
the staff, the players, equipment people, the medical staff, everybody,
(24:47):
the media. I mean, it's just infectious and being a
part of this is one of the greatest experiences of
my life.
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