...ouch...

[WilliamPitt]

Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hangs his head
as he makes his way to the tunnel after losing
to the Patriots in last night's AFC Championship game at Heinz Field.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05024/447263.stm

A cold reality settles over Steelers Nation
By Steve Levin and Robert Dvorchak
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It was a nightmarish end to a dream season.

The Steelers' crushing loss to the Patriots yesterday may rattle around the area's psyche for years.

For a team that had set a conference record for wins, for a city that had dreamed of celebrating its first trip to the Super Bowl in nine years and for a region that had hoped -- and prayed -- for a victory as a salve for years of depressing economic and civic news, yesterday's game was a rude slap.

A fumble. Three interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Penalties. A replay that overturned a fumble recovery. The most points the Steelers had given up the entire season. Their quest for "one for the thumb" ended like a sharp poke in the eye.

At least we know now, it wasn't quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's glove.

(snip)

"We're all like devastated," Nick Hoban said after the game. Hoban, who lives on the South Side, said he already had purchased six airline tickets, six Super Bowl tickets and several Jacksonville, Fla., hotel rooms for him, his two sons and three nephews. Total cost: $25,000.

Now, Hoban said, he'll try to unload everything. He's hopeful of recouping most of his money. But the lost opportunity, he said, was priceless.

...more...

=====

http://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/story/0124202005_new01_steelers24.asp

Steelers, fans feel the heartbreak

By RICH GIBSON, Times Leader Staff Writer

THIS JUST in: They take their football seriously in the Steel City.

Any loss is a bitter experience. Sunday night's setback in the AFC Championship Game broke the hearts of Steelers' supporters all over the tri-state area.
For the fourth time in five conference title games under Bill Cowher, the "Black and Gold" saw a superlative season come to a disappointing end.

Defending Super Bowl champion New England made sure of that, taking the towel-waving masses out of contention early.

The Patriots raced to a quick 10-0 lead, then extended the spread to 24-3 at halftime. For all intents, it was over.

In the postmortem of their silent locker room, venerable owner Dan Rooney saluted his Steelers with a warm handshake, telling them to appreciate their accomplishments and strive to reach the next level during the course of the next 12 months.

"Maybe in a couple weeks, the pain will go away. But now, it's pretty hard to take," said misty-eyed Steelers' linebacker Larry Foote. "We had all the confidence in the world (going into this game). To lose it like this, it's just very difficult."

(snip)

The fact is, New England performed like the championship club it is. The Patriots, if not perfect, weren't far from it. They did not commit a turnover and just as importantly, were assessed no more than one minor penalty for five yards.

"There's not a whole lot you can say," Cowher offered. "We got behind and basically had no margin for error. But they'll be no finger-pointing. I'm just terribly disappointed for my football team."

From a business standpoint, so are dozens of travel agents whose Super Bowl packages will not be sold.

Not to mention a legion of dejected vendors who figure to lose thousands in potential Steelers' Super Bowl souvenir sales.

"In sports, you got to take the bitter with the sweet," said wideout Antwann Randle El. "Believe me, this is a bitter one for all of us."

...more...

=====

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/NFL/2005/01/24/908608.html

Steelers shocked

Pats make Ben look ordinary
By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun

First they waved their Terrible Towels.

Then they watched a terrible performance.

At least that's what many long-faced fans were grumbling as they slinked their way out of frosty Heinz Field last night, despondent at the manner in which their heroes were outclassed to the tune of 41-27 to the visiting New England Patriots in the AFC title game.

Big Ben's a bust, one lamented.

Bettis is a bum, cried another.

Well, here's a wakeup call for any of those Pittsburgh Steeler supporters who might be contemplating a dip into the icy waters of the Mohongahela River today in order to drown their sorrows.

The Steelers are not the first team to be waxed by Bill Belichick's juggernaut Patriots.

And they won't be the last.

...more...

[thoughtanarchist]

1. when the clock ran down under 5 minutes

The cameras focused on Ben R. and he looked like he was about to cry.

I almost felt sorry for him -- then I remembered how I felt back on halloween and got over it pretty quick.

:evilgrin:

[tx_dem41]

2. I thought you were saying "ouch" because that bunny suit...

...was too tight. :-)

[WilliamPitt]

6. Not yet

That bet will be determined on Feb. 6.

[tx_dem41]

7. Yes, but I figured you might be trying it on for size in preparation...

:-)

[jus_the_facts]

3. did I mention how HOT Tom Brady is....

:evilgrin:

....ahh well I was disappointed in how the Steelers played....but they still made it respectable...and because o'all the LSU boys on the Pats...and Brady's *ahem* ass in spandex...I'm never disappointed in watchin' them do well. ;-)

:hi:

[tishaLA]

4. I heard Ward was openly crying this morning

when he talked to reporters after a team meeting in which Bettis, among others, addressed the team. He's simply devastated.

[pscot]

5. I once played on a team that was unbeaten, (high school)

then we got butt kicked in the last game of the season. It's the toughest kind of loss. Just wrecks your self regard.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. The way the Jest gave it to them

they were lucky to get this far.

[soleft]

9. I'm actually more upset about the Jet loss now than I was when it

happened. I figured Pittsburgh was a team of destiny. I figured wrong.

[Beetwasher]

10. Well, Honestly, I Doubt The Jets Could Have Beat NE Anyway

and that's coming from a Jets fan.

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. we would have played better than Pittsburgh

And given New England all they could have handled. THe Jets were the second best team in the conference this year.

1. New England
2. Jets
3. Pittsburgh
4. Indianapolis
5. San Diego

[Beetwasher]

13. I Agree, Would Probably Have Been A Better Game w/ the Jets

But I still think we would have lost...Maybe I'm a bad fan...Or a realist! :shrug:

[blue neen]

11. ...ouch...

That's my head today after consuming a bottle of wine at a playoff party last night. I also smoked 4 cigarettes, and I don't smoke. I'll never make that mistake again!

The Steeler Nation is in pain today, in more ways than one. Oh, the agony!!!