Talent and strong bonds, according to Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Bill Cowher, were key factors behind the Pittsburgh Steelers’ victory in Super Bowl XL, as he shared during the 20th anniversary reunion of the 2005 team in Pittsburgh.
Cowher reflected on the team’s journey while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show ahead of a weekend gathering honoring that championship roster. “We all had a degree of commitment and we all learned to trust one another and have each other’s back,” Cowher said. “It wasn’t our most talented team, but it was our closest team. And that’s what I’m proud of.”
The Steelers faced a challenging regular season, dropping from seven wins and two losses to a seven-five record and nearly missing the playoffs. Their late-season rally earned them the final playoff spot, despite having second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. The defensive unit was well established, and the offensive line remained central to their approach.
Cowher described a significant moment before their Wild Card matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals when Dan Rooney visited him. “We’re getting ready on a Friday night,” he said. “We played at Cincinnati Bengals, were a six seed. Mr. Rooney comes into my office about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Everybody’s gone. He says, ‘Coach, how are we doing?’ I go, Mr. Rooney, I think we’re good. We had a good week work. I mean Cincinnati, we know them well. I think we’ll be okay.”
Rooney then offered Cowher rosary beads for luck: “He goes, ‘Well, I want to give you something here.’ I go, ‘What is it?’ He goes, ‘Rosary beads.’ I go, I’m not even Catholic. He goes, ‘Just take them.’ I said, ‘We don’t need any luck.’ He said, ‘Coach, every little bit helps.’”
Cowher explained how these beads became an ongoing part of his experience through tense playoff moments: “I went in my pocket. I started holding that thing. I go, ‘Come on baby. Work your juju.’” The Steelers survived a close call against the Indianapolis Colts after kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a crucial field goal—an outcome Cowher associated with what he described as a little help from above.
From that point forward Cowher kept hold of the rosary beads throughout their postseason run—including retrieving them just before kickoff against Denver—as they progressed toward their victory over Seattle in Super Bowl XL.
He also chose for his players to wear white away jerseys for their role as underdogs in what felt like a home game due to its Detroit location near Jerome Bettis’ hometown.
This weekend’s reunion will see Cowher bring out those same beads when meeting with former players: “I’m gonna pull them out on Saturday night as I meet with some of the guys,” he said. “And just talk about the element of what happens with that football team. It started at the top.”
Looking back at their success and challenges may offer lessons for this year’s Steelers squad as they face pivotal moments in their own season.
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