Steelers' Ramon Foster Gives An Insider Look At The Frenzied Thoughts In His Mind In The Last Moments Of Super Bowl XLV

The Pittsburgh Steelers began riding a wave of success in 2004 after drafting the face of their franchise, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. This wave carried them to three Super Bowl appearances during his career. In 2006, they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. Next, they beat the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, 27-23. It felt like they were unstoppable. However, this streak seemed to come to a halt in 2011 when they lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV.

Over the decade-plus change since that game happened, there has been a lot of blame passed around for the loss. There are those who blame Roethlisberger, despite the fact that he previously led them to two Lombardi Trophies. There is no doubt that he made errors that game, particularly two interceptions. Despite the interceptions however, his gameplay was not a total wash. He threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns. 

The finger also got pointed at running back Rashard Mendenhall who fumbled the ball, or was the victim of a strip sack if you believe his outrageous tirade. Regardless of the words you use to describe it, Mendenhall lost the ball at a critical point and Green Bay was able to recover and score.   

We've all heard that the team that wins the turnover battle wins the game and that is exactly what happened. Football is a team sport and it is rare for one person alone to be responsible for a loss, even at the Super Bowl. The Steelers turned the ball over and the Packers did not, plain and simple. On top of that, the Packers were able to take our turnovers and score. 

Now one of the team's former members, offensive guard Ramon Foster, is speaking about the emotions that day. 

Steelers' Ramon Foster's Thoughts Of Super Bowl XLV

Foster now co-hosts a podcast on DK Pittsburgh Sports with reporter Dejan Kovacevic called The Ramon Foster Show. During a recent episode, Foster was asked what was going through his mind after Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass to receiver Mike Wallace and they headed into the waning seconds of that game. 

To set the stage for Foster here is a little refresher on where the game stood during the second half. The Steelers really never were able to establish a foothold in the game and spent the entirety of it trying to make a comeback. 

The score when the teams returned from halftime was 21-10 with the Packers still ahead. After holding the Packers and forcing a punt, the Steelers came out strong and managed to drive down and score, making it 21-17. The defense once again stopped the Packers and the offense took over. However, this time the Packers defense managed to stand pat and forced a field goal attempt which was missed by Shaun Suisham. 

Mendenhall's aforementioned fumble is how the Steelers started the fourth quarter, taking the score to 28-17. Roethlisberger led an outstanding charge down the field, including that 25-yard touchdown pass to Wallace. They were able to run a trick play, faking the run and passing to receiver Antwaan Randle El for the two-point conversion, which brought the Steelers within three, 28-25. 

Now back to Foster and how he was feeling at that exact moment. There were only about seven minutes left in the game and they were within winning distance now, they could almost taste the victory. 

"Win this game, that's it," said Foster as to what was in his mind. "That was it. Win. This. Game."

It wasn't complicated he said, it was like a mantra in his head as Green Bay took control of the ball and the Steelers knew their defense had to continue to come up big. After a strong start to the drive by their then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers held them. Unable to score a touchdown, they settled for a field goal making the score 31-25. The Steelers got the ball with just over two minutes left to play. 

"I've never wanted to envision winning a game more than I did that one. Because it's the big game, it's the Super Bowl. That was the only thought - from the first kickoff, from when we were down, from when we were up, was just hold on and survive, keep thriving. That was the only thought, the entire game. Bad play? Win the game."

This clearly wasn't a happy trip down memory lane. Roethlisberger got a chance to lead a game-winning drive, something he had done so many times before. However, they were never able to get anything going and they turned the ball over on downs, losing to the Packers 25-31. Foster clearly wasn't thrilled with recalling all of those emotions. 

"You got me dark on that one," ruminated Foster.

That marked the last time the Steelers went to a Super Bowl. Now a new era has begun in Pittsburgh with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett under center. Pickett has renewed the faith of a lot of fans who believe we will make it back to the big dance sooner rather than later. 

Did you watch Super Bowl XLV? What did you think the odds were that we would win? Were you surprised by the outcome? Click to comment below. 

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