Super Bowl Awash in Subplots

Arizona's Pittsburgh transplants give Cards an edge—if not the edge
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 19, 2009 10:47 AM CST
Super Bowl Awash in Subplots
In this Aug. 7, 2008, file photo, Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm watches his players. The Steelers offered him their head job, then rescinded the offer, in 2006.   (AP Photo/Paul Connors, File)

You can't spell “conflict” without NFL, and this year's Super Bowl contains plenty of opposing loyalties, Sam Farmer writes in the Los Angeles Times. You can’t throw a stone at the Arizona Cardinals’ sideline without hitting a former Pittsburgh resident, player, or coach—and that last category might give Arizona an edge, Rick Gosselin adds in the Dallas Morning News.

Both head coach Ken Whisenhunt and his second in command, Russ Grimm, came to Arizona after being passed over for the Steelers’ top job. To pile on the insider knowledge, the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator grew up as a Pittsburgh ball boy, star receiver Larry Fitzgerald got his start at the University of Pittsburgh, and fellow wideout Steve Breaston grew up waving a Terrible Towel. (More Super Bowl XLIII stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X