Super Bowl Really May Be One Last Dance

Kevin Greene sounded as if he were serving up that cliche of so many in his profession who’ve just realized their ideal of making it to the championship of all championships. He told an inquirer he didn’t care who he would meet. He was just thankful, he said, to make it so far.

The linebacker just wanted to savor the unbridled adulation from the fans, he assured. The tears of joy from his coach and teammates. The feel of holding the AFC Championship trophy high above his head in triumph.

The moment.

“I’m not even going to think about who we play or who we don’t have to play or who the home team is,” said Greene, 32, his long blond hair draped over his shoulders. “I just want to enjoy this one. You’ve got to enjoy the ride along the way.”

It was for Greene, however - if not for most of his Steelers teammates - a sentiment as sincere as could be. He will be grateful just to be in Arizona. The ride to a Super Bowl for him, especially, as well as for most his teammates, was a long and laborious one, indeed.

Like so many people who made this town in the unforgiving hills of Western Pennsylvania what it is, Greene wasn’t handed what will be his opportunity under the sun. He forged it over many a year, ever since his senior year at Stone High in Granite City, Ill., where few college recruiters went calling for him.

Greene wasn’t some scholastic hotshot. He was left with walking on to the Auburn football team if he wanted to continue playing football. So, he did. In his senior season, 1984, he led the Tigers in sacks.

The Rams made Greene their fifth-round pick in 1985, the 17th linebacker selected. He played his rookie year only on special teams.

He didn’t start until two seasons later, but made the most of it. He returned an interception for a touchdown in the opener against Houston.

He finished the next season ranked only behind Reggie White for the league lead in sacks. In 1989, he made the Pro Bowl. In 1990, only Charles Haley and White garnered more sacks. In 1991, he started at right end, left end and linebacker.

In 1993, he arrived in Pittsburgh as a free agent and didn’t miss a beat. He made the Pro Bowl again last season and was voted AFC linebacker of the year by the NFL Players Association.

Greene, though, despite his individual achievements, was like most every other player in the league. No matter the hard work, no matter the pain, no matter his years of service, he never, ever experienced the exhilaration of a championship.

“It’s all about going to the Super Bowl and winning,” the decorated linebacker explained. “I’ve said before: Athletes are well-paid and they’re blessed to be playing the game, and have six months of vacation. They work hard. But it all boils down to winning.”

That is why what Greene and other Steelers said in the moments after winning the AFC title sounded so much more truthful than trite. This isn’t their third trip to the biggest game in four years. For most, it’s their first. Ever. Maybe their last.

Like guard Thomas Newberry and tight end Jonathan Hayes, both 33. Center Dermontti Dawson, 30, who has been to several Pro Bowls. Greene’s bookend Greg Lloyd, 30, who has been the team’s MVP twice and a Pro Bowler several times after being drafted out of little Fort Valley State in Georgia. Tackle John Jackson, 30, a 10th-round pick in 1988, who turned himself into a Pro Bowl performer and, finally, a champion, too.

“I’ve been on this team for seven years,” said cornerback Carnell Lake, “and this is our first time getting there in seven years, first time for everybody on this team, really. It’s going to feel good with that sun beaming down on us in Arizona.”

It already is shining on Greene.

“Just to know that I had the opportunity to go to the big game,” Greene said, “you’ve just got to give a knee and praise God about it, man. All the other stuff you collect along the way, you want to … go to that game and play in it.

“I’ve been in this league 11 years and I’ve come up short every year but this one. It’s tremendous.”

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Kevin B. Blackistone Dallas Morning News