Preparing might help team win big game

A day in the life of a man whose team has not won a title in 26 years:

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006

7 a.m. - Wake up and have a moment of prayer that all the Steelers got a good night's sleep last night and are all in good health.

7:30 a.m. - Take out the dog and get the paper. I can't read the paper, because I did not read it until after their game each of the last three playoff games. So, of course I cannot change things up today.

7:55 a.m. - Eat breakfast (another prayer thrown in here as well... Hey, it has been 26 years).

8:20 a.m. - Morning jog (OK, who am I kidding, but it sounded good).

8:21 a.m. - Get a good laugh out of the whole "morning jog" thing.

8:45 a.m. - I'm restless so I get out my game-day clothes (not Steelers gear): blue basketball shorts, gray Nike shirt and golf socks (Again, I've worn this for each playoff game. I did wash them though.)

9:10 a.m. - Call several of my Cowboy friends to brag that we are in the Super Bowl and they are not.

9:17 a.m. - Another moment of prayer (those phone calls had to be atoned for).

9:50 a.m. - Flip on the T.V. to get some pre-game info. Pre-game talk begins about 6 a.m., doesn't it?

10:06 a.m. - Wife asks me to help her do something in the yard. (Does she not realize the Steelers play in less than 8 hours?)

10:19 a.m. - After reminding her about the big game I'm back on the couch with the clicker.

12:08 p.m. - OK, I dozed off for a quick nap. Now I play with my son. He was Matt Hasselback so I was tackling him pretty hard. His mom is not going to like those floor burns one bit. He's 17 months old; he can take it.

1:14 p.m. - Man, is this game ever going to start? We decide to go out to grab some lunch. I make sure we go somewhere that is near the house and in no way near any high crime or high traffic areas. If something were to happen and me not get back for the game, I'd never forgive myself.

2:30 p.m. - We are back home, and the phone rings. Who would be calling 4 hours before kickoff? Some people just do not get it.

3:06 p.m. - I begin to put all sharp objects in the garage and tape pillows to all sharp edges just in case the Steelers have some bad breaks early.

4:17 p.m. - I get out all of my Steeler paraphernalia including my Jerome Bettis bobblehead and Ben Roethlisberger jersey. This may be a little silly, but I think it is good for at least 10 points.

4:58 p.m. - I cut off the ringer (no need to take any chances that my mom or someone else will call during the game).

5:35 p.m. - My sister calls (didn't I turn that ringer off?) and says they are leaving. I say great and hang up. Then I realize she might be talking about coming over to my house.

5:37 p.m. - I call back. Sure enough ... my wife invited them over. After re-explaining game-day rules to her, I politely inform my sister that she is not allowed in my neighborhood.

6:08 p.m. - OK, it is almost game time... I may write you a column and tell you how everything went. It really depends on the game.