The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2010 season ended in disappointment with a loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. However, leading up to that Super Bowl, Pittsburgh had an impressive season. They finished with a 12-4 record, won the AFC North, and secured the second seed in the playoffs.
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Former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers celebrates a score in the Super Bowl.
One of the sleeper teams that surprised the football world was the New York Jets. As the sixth seed, they upset the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the playoffs and went on to pull off a major upset by defeating the top-seeded New England Patriots on the road. No one gave the Jets a chance, and emotions were high after the game.
"CAN'T WAIT!"
— ESPN (@espn) January 16, 2020
9 years ago today, Bart Scott gave us a legendary postgame interview. pic.twitter.com/SA3hDYefiC
One of the most memorable postgame interviews was Jets linebacker Bart Scott's passionate "Can't wait" exclamation to Sal Paolantonio when asked about heading to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers in the AFC Championship. Former Steelers guard Ramon Foster later revealed on The Two Percent Podcast how Scott's words served as motivation for the Steelers.
"The next week we ended up playing the New York Jets, that's the Bart Scott 'can't wait' drop. He was talking about coming to Pittsburgh, playing us. And you know what's so sick about that is he wasn't even talking about us. We used him saying 'can't wait' to come to Pittsburgh as fuel to the fire. He wasn’t even talking about us and that's all we needed. We said that all week long."
The interview was incredible for Jets fans and football enthusiasts alike. It will undoubtedly go down as one of the most iconic postgame interviews ever. However, it also ignited a major fire under a Steelers team that was already very strong. Unfortunately, their great season ended in disappointment with a 31-25 loss to the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers in the Super Bowl.
Despite the disappointing end, the 2010 season was special for the Steelers. They had three AP All-Pros: James Harrison and Troy Polamalu made First Team, while rookie center Maurkice Pouncey made Second Team. The season began with a significant challenge, as Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for six games, though it was later reduced to four. Remarkably, the Steelers managed a 3-1 record during Roethlisberger's absence.
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The Steelers' 2010 defense, led by James Harrison (#92), Brett Keisel (#99) and James Farrior (#51) in Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers.
The team’s resilience and depth were evident throughout the season. Key players stepped up when needed, and the Steelers' defense, known for its toughness and tenacity, played a crucial role in their success. The leadership of Mike Tomlin and the veteran presence on the roster provided stability and confidence, helping the team navigate the ups and downs of the season.
Steelers' 2010 Playoff Run Was Special
The Steelers' journey to the Super Bowl was marked by notable victories and memorable moments. Their playoff run included a hard-fought win against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round and a dominant performance against the Jets in the AFC Championship. Despite falling short in the big game, the Steelers demonstrated their resilience and competitive spirit, leaving a lasting legacy for that season.
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Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger leaves the field after losing Super Bowl XLV to Green Bay.
In the end, while the season didn’t conclude with a Super Bowl victory, it solidified the Steelers' reputation as one of the NFL’s premier franchises. The memories and achievements of that year continue to be celebrated by fans, reminding everyone of the team’s dedication and excellence on the field. However, many Steelers fans still have a hard time getting the taste out of their mouths of losing that Super Bowl.
Scott's speech is a prime example of how postgame comments can either rally a team or serve as motivation for their opponents. Sometimes, a player's words bolster their own team, but other times, they ignite a fire in the opposition. In this case, Scott's passionate declaration fired up the Steelers, fueling their determination and helping them defeat the Jets to secure a trip back to the Super Bowl.
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