Right tackle Max Starks is giving four of his Super Bowl tickets to a family involved in the mining tragedy in Sago, W.Va. Starks said Thursday he wanted to keep the matter private and was reluctant to speak about it, but he did admit it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to help out the family, which he did not identify. After receiving a letter requesting autographed gear, Starks consulted his mother, Elleanor, and decided to send the family four of his tickets. Each Steelers player is allotted 15 tickets for the big game. Starks will give the rest of his allotment to family and friends.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't make a big deal out of getting a phone call this week from Dan Marino. The two speak regularly, Roethlisberger said. Marino advised Roethlisberger on the pitfalls of taking a Super Bowl appearance for granted.
"No matter what happens, you think you'll be back," Roethlisberger said Marino told him. "It doesn't necessarily happen like that. On one hand, enjoy it and have a good time. But take it serious enough that you want to win it because you don't know when it's going to happen again."
Roethlisberger is the second-youngest quarterback, behind Marino, to start a Super Bowl.
Linebacker James Harrison, an influential part of the special teams, returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out the playoff victories over the Colts and Broncos with a right ankle injury. Those wins gave Harrison chance to heal in time for the Super Bowl matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
"I wanted them to extend the season, so I could get back in time," said Harrison, who was injured making a tackle in the wild-card playoff win over the Bengals.
Harrison hedged when asked whether he's 100 percent healthy.
"I feel all right," he said. "Take it for what it's worth."
Running back Willie Parker was held out of practice yesterday apparently because of flu-like symptoms. Defensive end Travis Kirschke also did not practice because of a groin injury. The Steelers won't release an official injury list until next week.
Kendall Simmons understands why coach Bill Cowher decided the Steelers will wear their white road uniforms, even though they will be the "home" team in the Super Bowl. But Simmons wishes Cowher had gone with the black uniforms.
"I don't like the white ones too much because it shows too much of the midsection area," the 319-pound guard said, rubbing his belly. "I like the black because it slims you down a little bit and the cameras don't show as much. Anybody who's over 300 pounds needs it."
During the season, Simmons fell into the habit of eating at a local seafood restaurant every Friday night before a game. Even though the Super Bowl is not until next week, Simmons and his wife will be at their customary table by the window tonight at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto.
"Definitely," he said. "I'm not changing anything in my routine."
Despite the cold and snow, fans were lined up at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Heinz Field for the evening taping of Jerome Bettis' television show.
"That doesn't surprise me," kicker Jeff Reed said. "Last week, I was on the show and they were lined up at noon. So 10 a.m. is about right for the Super Bowl."
Kimo von Oelhoffen can find little fault offensively with the Seahawks, who led the NFL in scoring and, behind Shaun Alexander, had the third-best rushing offense.
"You cannot compare them with any other team we've played," von Oelhoffen said. "The offensive line is the best. The running back is the best. The scheme is the best. There are no tendencies. ... They have a great play-action. They do everything very well."
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