Super Bowl XL
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| Super Bowl XL | |
|---|---|
| Name | Super Bowl XL |
| Date | February 5, 2006 |
| Stadium | Ford Field |
| City | Detroit, Michigan |
| Attendance | 68,206 |
| Kickoff | 6:25 PM EST |
| Halftime | The Rolling Stones |
| Mvp | Hines Ward |
| Network | ABC |
| Anthem | Aaron Neville, Aretha Franklin, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra |
Super Bowl XL was the championship game of the 2005 National Football League season, played on February 5, 2006, at Ford Field in Detroit. The contest featured the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers won 21–10 in a game marked by controversial officiating, pivotal plays by Hines Ward, and media scrutiny involving head coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Holmgren.
Background
The matchup brought together two franchises with distinct histories: the six-time champion Pittsburgh Steelers franchise known for dynastic success in the 1970s under coach Chuck Noll and the ownership of the Rooney family, and the rising NFC contender Seattle Seahawks founded by Ken Behring and later guided by general manager Tim Ruskell. The game took place in Detroit, a city linked to Motown Records, the automotive legacy of Ford Motor Company, and the sports tradition of teams such as the Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue oversaw league operations during a period that included labor negotiations and stadium initiatives following agreements influenced by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (NFL). The matchup renewed discussion about franchise building strategies used by personnel figures such as Bill Nunn and analytics influences credited to executives like Bill Polian.
Road to the Super Bowl
The Steelers advanced through the AFC playoff bracket after finishing the regular season under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau with a roster featuring veterans Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and receivers Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El. Pittsburgh defeated contenders including the Indianapolis Colts and NFC-to-AFC crossover narratives by dispatching the Denver Broncos en route to the title game. The Seahawks, led by coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, reached the championship after postseason wins over divisional rivals such as the Carolina Panthers and conference opponents including the Green Bay Packers and the Washington Redskins during regular-season matchups. Seattle’s roster featured playmakers such as Shaun Alexander—the season’s rushing leader—and defensive standouts like Marcus Trufant and Lofa Tatupu whose contributions propelled the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance.
Game summary
The game was contested at indoor Ford Field with kickoff before a national television audience on ABC (American Broadcasting Company), featuring commentators including play-by-play announcer Al Michaels and analyst John Madden. Early drives combined strategic play-calling from offensive coordinators Bruce Arians and Jim Mora Jr. with defensive adjustments by LeBeau and Seahawks coordinator Jim Mora. The first quarter saw a field-goal exchange influenced by kicker duels between Jeff Reed and Josh Brown, while a key fourth-quarter interception and a controversial offensive pass-interference non-call shaped momentum. Pittsburgh’s physical approach included runs by Willie Parker and short-yardage passes to Ward; Seattle relied on Alexander’s rushing and Hasselbeck’s intermediate passing to receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. Multiple officiating decisions by referee Bill Leavy drew postgame criticism from media outlets such as ESPN and The New York Times.
Scoring summary
- First quarter: Seattle scored first with a field goal by Josh Brown; Pittsburgh responded with a field goal by Jeff Reed. - Second quarter: The Steelers took the lead with a touchdown reception by Hines Ward from Ben Roethlisberger; Seattle managed a field goal before halftime. - Third quarter: Defensive adjustments produced a scoreless quarter punctuated by running attempts from Shaun Alexander and Pittsburgh short gains by Jerome Bettis. - Fourth quarter: Ward’s second touchdown reception extended Pittsburgh’s lead; a late touchdown by Hasselbeck narrowed the gap but was insufficient. Final score 21–10, Steelers victorious; Hines Ward named Super Bowl MVP.
Broadcasting and entertainment
ABC’s telecast featured halftime entertainment by The Rolling Stones, whose performance included songs from albums like Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St., and celebrity appearances by figures such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The pregame and postgame coverage included analysis from former players like Troy Aikman and studio personalities from Monday Night Football era broadcasts. The national anthem involved performers Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, while commercial campaigns from corporations including PepsiCo, Anheuser-Busch, and Hyundai Motor Company debuted new advertisements during the telecast. Viewership metrics tracked by firms such as Nielsen Media Research showed robust ratings and substantial advertising revenue.
Aftermath and legacy
The result restored Pittsburgh’s championship legacy associated with previous titles under coaches Noll and Bill Cowher and influenced subsequent personnel moves involving Roethlisberger and defensive contractor signees such as Rod Woodson—sparking debates within columnist circles at The Washington Post and USA Today. Seattle’s franchise entered a period of roster reevaluation under Holmgren and front-office figures like Tim Ruskell, eventually leading to draft choices and acquisitions that shaped later successes under coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson. The game remains noteworthy for its officiating controversy, prompting discussions in meetings of the NFL Competition Committee and contributing to later rule clarifications and replay policy adjustments adopted in the following Collective Bargaining cycles. The contest is frequently referenced in retrospectives by outlets such as Sports Illustrated and documentaries produced by NFL Films.