| Since when is it OK to totally snub the winner of an | | | | which he insinuated that the referee's were |
| NFL game, let alone the biggest game of the year, | | | | responsible for their loss to the World Champion |
| the Super Bowl? Well that's exactly what Mike | | | | Pittsburgh Steelers. I sincerely hope they levy the |
| Holmgren, the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, | | | | largest fine possible on his plump "wallet". Because the |
| did on Super Bowl Sunday after his team lost the | | | | statement is not true. The Seattle Seahawks had |
| game. Not only did he not meet Coach Cowher, the | | | | just as much chance to win that game as did the |
| longest tenured coach in the NFL, on the 25 yard line | | | | Pittsburgh Steelers, but it was a battle of coaching |
| for a congratulatory handshake as scheduled, it was | | | | and Holmgren was definitely out coached by Cowher. |
| actually Cowher who had to go out of his way to | | | | In the waning minutes of both halves of the game, |
| find Holmgren. The moment finally took place in the | | | | Holmgren was managing the clock like it was a |
| Seahawks locker room, so I can speculate on who | | | | pre-season contest, not the Super Bowl. Constant |
| pursued who. At a time when he should be enjoying | | | | mistakes which ground away the clock and his teams |
| his much deserved win, Coach Cowher was chasing | | | | chance to win. His kicker missed field goals, field goals |
| down a sore loser, because Cowher knows how it | | | | that super bowl champ's MUST make, just ask the |
| works. The deal isn't done until the handshake. It's | | | | New England Patriots. His best receiver dropped |
| tradition, a tradition rooted in good sportsman ship. A | | | | nearly every pass thrown his way. His MVP of the |
| tradition that Holmgren dismissed because he was | | | | league running back never saw the inside of the end |
| angry. What a great example, what a wonderful role | | | | zone. Holmgren started the game passing, yet when |
| model he was to all of the kids watching. | | | | crunch time rolled around and the clock was going |
| In 1995, Cowher and the Steelers lost the Super | | | | away, he thought it was a good time to start running |
| Bowl to the Dallas Cowboy's under similar | | | | the ball for 3 and 4 yard gains. Yet Holmgren takes |
| circumstances. Bad officiating, lot's of "if'y" calls, touch | | | | the low road and calls the ref's out and points his |
| downs that really weren't. But when the clock | | | | finger of blame in their faces. |
| expired and the game was over, Bill Cowher marched | | | | On the other side of the field Coach Cowher was |
| right into the center of the field and shook the | | | | planning his work and working his plan, devising plays |
| victor's hand and offered a few kind words. He didn't | | | | that totally caught the Seahawks off guard, including |
| slither out of the back door, he also didn't return to | | | | the Rothlisberger TD that was subjected to review, |
| his teams host city and bad mouth the officiating. He | | | | even though the ball obviously grazed the goal line, |
| did give a losing coaches interview in the locker room | | | | the Willie Parker run that caught Seattle in the all-out |
| and was seen embracing his tear-soaked family, | | | | blitz that gave Parker clear sailing once he cleared the |
| obviously broken hearted by the loss. Coach Cowher | | | | line, the end-a-round from Randle El to Ward for the |
| has given his respect, he has given his props, he has | | | | kill shot. All Bill Cowher calls, all at the perfect time, |
| played by the rules, and yet, even though he is the | | | | and all very very effective against an absolutey |
| longest tenured coach in the NFL, everyone in the | | | | bewildered Seahawks defense. |
| media, on sportscenter, even the NFL itself refuses | | | | I hope this piece winds up, somehow, in front of |
| to admit that Holmgren snubbed Cowher because he | | | | Mike Holmgren because I have something to say to |
| was angry. I wonder if this story would have been | | | | him: "Mike, Mr. Holmgren, Coach, you lost the game |
| bigger had it been Bill Belichick that got shafted? | | | | not because of bad officiating, you lost the game |
| Don't get me wrong, I didn't have any axe to grind | | | | because you are not as good of a Coach as Bill |
| with Mike Holmgren, not until he pulled this nonsense. | | | | Cowher. He took you to school, so try to learn a |
| I've always thought he was a stand up guy, I even | | | | few things from him instead of throwing a tantrum |
| pulled for him and his Super Bowl Champion Green | | | | and disrespecting one of the greatest coaches in |
| Bay Packers in 97'. You see Mike has been around | | | | league history. I can only hope that one day |
| the block a few times. He's not some 35 year old | | | | someone shows you total disrespect at a time when |
| hot-head who's never seen the inside of the Super | | | | you should be congratulated for a job well done. You |
| Bowl. The man has been there twice not including this | | | | lost. Live with it." |
| last appearance, walking away with one trophy and | | | | My congratulations go out to the World Champion |
| one heartache. For him to be such a veteran coach | | | | Pittsburgh Steelers, but more than that, I want to |
| with so much big game experience makes this insult | | | | extend my respect and admiration for a true class |
| and lack of respect from him even harder to swallow. | | | | act, Coach Bill Cowher, a native of Pittsburgh, which |
| | | | has gotta make this all the more sweeter. Although I |
| The NFL is talking about fining him for the remarks | | | | don't play football, or any sport for that matter, you |
| he made to the home town crowd in Seattle, in | | | | will always be my head coach. |