SUPER BOWL XLIII: STEELERS 27, CARDINALS 23: RECAP

ON THE FIELD

A look at some tidbits that made Sunday’s game more interesting:

> Did you know Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s father, Larry Sr., is a sportswriter for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder? He has covered every Super Bowl since 1981. He said before the game he wouldn’t cheer for his son in the press box; he didn’t have much reason in the first half since Fitzgerald had just one reception. But little Larry came through big with two touchdown catches in the fourth quarter.

> One key penalty was pivotal. Pittsburgh had just converted a crucial first down deep in its territory to basically seal the game, but offensive lineman Justin Hartwig was called for holding in the end zone, which resulted in a safety.

> Seldom do you see one challenge upheld in a game. But two? The first cost the Steelers four points when Ben Roethlisberger was ruled short of the goal line on what was originally called a touchdown on the first drive. Take away the seven points, settle for three. Then on the first possession of the second half, Cardinals QB Kurt Warner was hit and apparently fumbled in his territory. But after another review, officials gave the ball back to Arizona, claiming Warner’s arm was going forward.

OFF THE FIELD

There was more to Super Sunday than just football:

> Who said “American Idol” would fade by now? For the second consecutive year, an alumnus sang the national anthem. Last year it was reigning winner Jordin Sparks. This time it was Jennifer Hudson, who lost in Season 3 but went on to win an Academy Award for “Dreamgirls.” It was her first public appearance since the October slayings of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

> Many of the commercials went to the dogs … and the horses, and a rhino and an ostrich. Pedigree’s spot, which already had made big news on YouTube, hit home with dog lovers, who prefer not to have that huge boar in their back seat. Bridgestone was right on track by using Mr. Potato Head and his mate. She kept talking and talking during a casual drive, then lost her mouth when their car hit a group of sheep. That silenced her, but the change of eyes to a stare topped off a new classic. And those ad people didn’t forget the struggling economy, tossing an employee out of a boardroom window for considering cutting back on Bud Light. Some eclectic cameos: Conan O’Brien, Bob Dylan, Alec Baldwin and Jason Statham.

> Barack Obama is on some kind of winning streak. You know the first part, from Illinois to the White House. Then Sunday he predicted before the game that Pittsburgh would win. “I think the Steelers are going to eek it out in the end.” Anybody mention a trip to Las Vegas?

> Bruce Springsteen, known for his four-hour concerts, mentioned he had only 12 minutes to perform at halftime before his first song. Then, 12 minutes later, he wasted 20 seconds bantering with band mate Steven Van Zandt about the short concert and not wanting to be penalized for going over. When the referee ran out to join the skit, it became just a bit uncomfortable.

> Want to be honored at the Super Bowl? Just land a jet in a river. US Airways pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew got a big ovation from the crowd for helping land their plane safely in the Hudson River and rescue 150 passengers last month.