Like I said, we're getting robbed. Methinks Tagliabue had an outcome in mind?

where's the outrage????????

what's going on here?!?! who's paying these refs, pittsburgh? Here's your outrage.. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

If we don't get this review in our favor (and Matt was touched, which in part caused him to fall to the ground, which would negate the fumble), then we'll have all the proof we need that the NFL is trying to get the Steelers the win.

This game is fixed! I'm disgusted!

I would think the officiating of a super bowl would be beyond reproch, this game looks like the refs are getting another paycheck

Well, maybe they're not bought and paid for...

I feel so sad and disgusted for these guys (Hawks) They've worked so hard, and everytime they get close, they're shut down by these sons of B Refs who have so clearly been paid off, it makes me want to vomit. An investigation should be done by an independant party after this sham of a game is over, and heads should roll. But that won't be happening now, will it. We all know who the REAL winners of Superbowl 40 is.

The ONLY reason they gave that one to Matt is so they don't look COMPLETELY and OBVIOUSLY paid off. They want there to be some mystery, which there isn't. They know the game is pretty much over, so they gave that one little trinket to Matt and the Hawks. Too little, TOO late.

Sadly the first visit to the SuperBowl by the 'Hawks is being ruined by poor officiating. I'd like to know who is paying off these refs....

Refs should not be chosen until the day of the Superbowl so there is too little time for their damn pockets to be lined. I mean, even the neutral/unbiased announcers are not agreeing with any of the calls these morons have made. And it's all on tape! How can this be legal and uncontested!!!!????? <:O

Isn't that EXACTLY what Joey Porter said a few weeks ago? And, in spite of the bad calls, the Steelers STILL won!@!

I quit being a fan of pro basketeball because of corrupt officials and bad officiating... now I have to give up pro football too because of paid off and corrupt officiating at the Super Bowl? Apparently the climate of corruption from the White House on down has permeated the NFL...

It's just like everything in this country--rigged.
Elections, the Oscars, the Super-bowl. Everything.
What a bunch of bull----!!

Pittsburg has the 12 man on the field today ,,,, it's the Refs.

I'm a Skins fan so there isn't any bias here.
This is the worst officiated superbowl that I can ever remember. I can't even begin to run off the non-calls, ghost calls, bad calls...and always at a key moment in the game. I'm thoroughly disgusted with the NFL referees at this point. This crew should be fired. Sorry Hawks fans, your team was clearly the better today. Unfortunately, for the Hawks, they had to beat the refs too.

The corruption of King County has permeated the NFL. What a shame... the Hawks deserve to win.

I wonder if the referee gets paid extra for being the game's MVP?

Pitt MVP: Guys in the stripes! This is REALLY hard to accept

Offensive Pass Interference - takes away a touchdown
Matt Hasslebeck get flagged for tackling a guy. (Give me a break)
Rothlisberger did not score
Delay of Game called missed well after zero
Questionable holding calls

Did you notice the number of times the Steelers defensive end jumped offsides and did not get called.

Need we say more. I tried to vote for the MVP, but I could not vote for the referee.

The Hawks got the short end of the officiating stick in this game. I thought the Superbowl was supposed to be NEUTRAL territory? I didn't know the teams could bring their own refs!? The Hawks got robbed at this game & someone needs to give the officials a piece of their mind... MIKE!! There's always next year.

This is unacceptable. Guys, come on, this cannot just be accepted! Heads need to roll for this, and we should DEMAND and not give up until an official confession and public apology is made to the Seahawks for being so horrendously wronged today. This entire game should be recalled.

It was such a shame that the ref' had to play againest the Hawks. If they had been calling the plays right the Hawks would of won. I hope that those refs. never get to another game. The Hawks played a great game and had it stolen from them.

oh, was that a terrible towel I saw in the refs back pocket? Oh no, just another crucial penalty against the Hawks. I'm not looking forward to another Monday of the league officials admitting they made some BAD calls in the Seahawks game.

Great season Seahawks. I hope the team can be kept together for another run next year!

Congratulations on your year. you have the league MVP. Now cheer your team, this is the true test of fan character. See you next year.

Did I see the officials wearing black and gold. How many times did the Seattle get a reception within the 5 yard line, and the officials call it back on a flag.

What a way to ruin what should have been an example of the American way.... corrupt officiating, bad calls, and why? Are the official getting paid off, or what?

The FIX was in! Since when is it illegal to tackle a runner like Hasselbeck did? Maybe there is need of a Congressional investigation of the NFL.

Was Levy (ref) wearing gold tonight....what gives...I don't see the refs up in the winners circle where are they now???

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa............For once I would
like to see "someone's" fans just say we lost..
Seattle fans, go have a Starbuck's and get over it!!

So sad. Totally unfair. What can I say. This is not "sport", it is simply "commercial" and all about $$. Our guys don't deserve that nor do we. I guess I'm not totally surprised given the chat of the last two weeks. They simply were going to make sure we didn't win. We're too nice.

This was the most dissapointing SuperBowl ever. It was supose to be a close game. I guess they didn't take the rotten refs into consideration.
So sorry for the Hawks, they worked too hard to be treated this way.

It's too bad the people at the stadium didn't get to see what those of us watching on tv saw. The Seahawks WON! Go Hawks!!

I'm a Patriots fan, but I had to come to this board to tell you guys that you should be the Super Bowl Champions. Except for screwing up clock management at the end of each half, you had the better team. Without a doubt the refs took this game from you. Ben was not in the end zone. That was not Off Pass Interference on the TD catch taken away. That was not holding. Matt did not throw an illegal block. The Steelers did not call time out before the play clock reached zero. It goes on...
It was fixed from the begining. I can't believe they let you win the coin toss! This was the worst officiated game (regular or post season) that I've ever seen. You guys need to let the Commissioners office know. Don't let them get away with this. For the good of the game.

The Seahawks are the best team on the field today and during the year. We have been getting the shaft all year long. the bad calls on the field has been witnessed by Millions and Millions of people. The NFL always spoke up after and only after each game during the year. this time it will be to late for any help, only to find out what can we do to get a fair and nutral crew when so much is on the line!!!!!!!!

this has got to be the worst officiated game in the history of the NFL. Nothing went our way. I wonder if it had anything to do with that appology that came from the officials in that game early in the season.

I'm from Mississippi, and not a Seattle fan, but I agree, I believe someone has to investigate the holding calls. This looks like a fixed game.

Seahawks, you were headed to the top, too bad corrupt refs got in your way. At least you're an honest team! Integrity speaks volumes. Go seahawks!!

Where is the money coming from? I don't understand who is paying these corrupt refs.

First, we make a touchdown that is reversed by an extremely questionable offensive pass interference call. Next big slap in the face is another bad call reversing a completed pass to the Pittsburgh 2 yard line. Oh, and what the heck was the deal with the call against Hasselback. Maybe I blocked out the unbelievable call that gave Roethlisberger a touchdown run. Well, I think Paul has a very strong case against the officiating staff of this Superbowl XL. These calls were too bad and one sided to be coincidence.

The only surprise to me concerning the bad calls by officials, is how blatant they were. I guess when you have a team as good as the Seahawks you don't have time to be sneaky.

GREAT JOB TO THE SEAHAWKS!!! They did a really awesome game, running the ball and playing as hard as they did, all the while getting shafted by the refs!!! But I’ll still be watching next year!!! For myself I just wanted to use this forum (thank you king5) as my means of frustration therapy, not whine!!!! Yeah we lost, but THIS GAME WAS TRULY CORRUPT IN ITS CALLS BY THE REFERIES!! And anyone who says otherwise is as blind as the referees that called the game.

Yeah, The game was fixed, But wait till next year when we kick the steelers a** next year. STEELERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!Oh yea thank you steelers for giving us some money for the xbox giveaways in Pittsburgh. steelers are stupid, and once again STEELERS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!Hi Shaun Alexander

Hope the Steelers remember to add the refs to their roster...................Go Hawks, you won that game.

Well, it's pretty clear the "fix" was in from early in the first quarter when the Seahawks first touchdown was called back. The non-touchdown later by the Steelers was the coup de gras for any chance the Seahawks had of beating the refs. I wonder if Tagliabue has any idea of what damage has been done to the fans by this charade. I won't be watching or attending any more professional football games as a result of this farce -- how stupid to they think we are?

This is not good. Who paid the refs? Did I see the refs negotiating with the steelers this morning.

Seahawks were robbed in Detroit! After all, Detroit (where I was born) is the robbery capitol of the world. Quite fitting for a team called the Stealers to win it all--especially the way they did.

Robbery!
(No bias here, I didn't care going into the game who won. I'm a Detroit boy; we've learned a long time ago--like 50 years ago--not to worry about who wins in pro football). But there were several bad calls, all going aginst the Seahawks, three of them directly resulting in an 18 point differance: The Seattle TD called back for the push off (come on), the Seattle completion to the two called back for (did they really call that) holding, and, of course, the phantom toutchdown by Pittsburg. Look, I agree the reply was inconclusive, but how does the line judge walk all the way to the ball with his hand pointing six inches from the goal line, and then suddenly change his mind when he get to the ball. If that guy really saw the ball over the plane, he should have called it then, not ten seconds later.

That was 18 sure points, but the other calls may have affected the game as well. The absurd call on Hassleback for the tackle he made helped set up the Stealer final score.

I think two good teams played very well, Seattle substantially better. But this was the poorest job of officiating in Superbowl history and, unfortunately, was the deciding factor in the game.

This is for the post by Dennis, above: Yes, we would admit defeat if it were not at the hands of the refs.... to be proud of a so-called win in this game demeans the Steelers... they shouldn't have to depend on the corrupt officiating to squeek out a win.

The 12th man today in the game was none other than Bill Leavey the head referee. It is a sad state of affairs when the referee's take it on themselves to say which way a game will go.
I like to think I am a fair person, but I was apalled at what I witnessed today in the Superbowl. I know the Steeler's fans will see it differently, but if they want to be honest, the referee's stole the game for the Steeler's. I would be ashamed to be a referee right now. Very sad! Very blatant bad calls.
Thank you,

Ben Rothlisberger has a superbowl ring now and its a shame he has to now live a lie for the rest of his life because of the refs calls.

Chiefs fan - Yet another poorly called Superbowl. Counted six terrible calls, all going the Stealers' way, with only one reversed. Feel sorry for you Seahawks fans - you weren't on the right side of the Bettis homecoming/retirement story. No wonder Berman and crew decided against talking to the Seattle players after the game.

this was just sad!!! but i allways new that football refs get paid off!!!I guess that's why my sport is drag racing both watching and as a driver myself.

Once again the Seattle taxpayers let down our football team.When the money was allotted to build the stadium they should have set some aside to pay the refs.Obviously Pittsburgh paid them a lot more than we did.They outplayed Pitt the whole way but couldnt beat the refs.Thanks Seahawks your played a winning game.

Officiating was completely pathetic.
At least 5 bad calls against Hawks.

No TD for Hawks in Q1 on bogus pass interference. Ref wasn't even gonna throw a flag until Steeler defender waved for a flag.
TD for Steelers didn't cross goal.
Two bogus holding calls on Hawks turned game around.
Not calling offsides on Steelers at least twice.
Hasselback block penalty was a freaking TACKLE.
Pitt's QB blocked below the waist on Ward TD and no call.
What a joke.

WWE - i'm posting from florida as a somewhat unbiased football fan. i was embarrassed at how much i was screaming at my superbowl party about ridiculous calls. i never do that, and get annoyed when others do it. but that just dropped the nfl to the level of professional wrestling. ive been watching countless hours of football every weekend for 20 years and have never seen such a blatantly fixed game. it has to make me wonder about the leagues integrity. i agree with the unbiased investigation that must take place. where are you lawyers?

Im a steelers fan and I'm not proud of how we won. Quite frankly I am embarrassed that we had to win by utilizing the refs. I'm saddened that this game seemed fixed. Hats off to the Hawks... I can't say in good conscience we won fair and square...

Name ONE call this whole game that was even "questionable" in favor of the Hawks...NOTHING was called on the Steelers, EVERYTHING got called on Seattle. The zebras were looking for reasons to throw the flag on us.

The game was NOT called fairly!!! Pittsburgh played a good game, and they are a worthy team...but you don't want to see that kind of one sided junk in a Super Bowl. The officiating was a disgrace!

The Hawks could have played better. However, they still played better that the "Stealers." Yeah, I spelled that incorrectly on purpose.

I can't say the refs were paid off, but if they were not, then they ARE the worst officials I have ever seen officiate a game.

If they were paid off, then they are the BEST I have ever seen.

Keep the faith Seahawks! Your fans are with you more than ever!

Hey lets not forget about the two missed field goals or the waste of time at the end ot the first half. Pittsburgh Super Bowl Champs

I am from Phoenix and could care less who wins but I am outraged at how badly the officials did. Eventhough the Hawks made some mistakes I must confess this game was rigged. Sorry Hawks I really must confess you were robbed.

Rick

Only one way to sum it up..."hosedown in motown"
Hawks...you're still winners...keep your heads up high.

ALL YOU SEATTLE FANS ARE CRY BABIES AND JERKS . THE PUSH OFF WAS ILLEGAL AND BEN BROKE THE PLANE. YOUR WHOLE TEAM AND FANS ARE POOR SPORTS.MAYBE YOUR BRAINS ARE TOO WATER4LOGGED FROM ALL YOUR RAIN AL M

and all you stealer fans who accept this victory are as bad as Bush

REF BOWL 2006
FEF's ...........21
Steelers.........07
Seahawks.........10

Earth to al M: You're a Moron. Were you drunk or high during the game. It was a flat out robbery compliments of the Officials. For the rest of your life YOU will know the Stealers did not win this game!

YOU IDIOT ljm. YOU DON!T EVEN KNOW HOW TO SPELL STEELERS. YOUR BRAIN IS WATERLOGGED BAD SPORT. AL M

I believe when someone steals something, it is spelled "steal" check the dictionary.

Thank you krj. It is obvious that you graduted from high school or even college. Al M is so dimwitted ( or high ) that he can't even see the hyperbole in calling his losers the Stealers. ( For you Al, that means embellishment or overstatement. "Play on Word" could apply here just as well, should I explain that for you too?

I have never been interested in football before as in this season where the Seahawks did a great job. I love Seattle.
I've heard about the team from Pittsburgh and I thought this team was what I heard it was: a good tough winner team, but today in Super Bowl XL I did not see that, but a team that did not offer a good game of plays, but a shameful game that seemed to be fixed because of the bad calls. Probably the team from Pittsburgh needs that kind of help.
I think that days before the Super Bowl, most of the sport programs were focusing more on the Pittsburgh team than on the Seahawks. The stadium overwelmingly packed with more Pittsburgh fans than fans from Seattle. All these poorly called plays on the part of the referees are good indicators of something fishy there.
GOOD JOB SEATTLE. I AM HAPPY WITH A GOOD EFFORT LOST THAN WITH A BAD, SHAMEFUL WIN.

I can't say that Seattle won the game, because they really did make too many mistakes, but the officiating was horrible. The icing on the cake was the illegal block call on Hasslebeck when he was making a tackle. What was that all about? The referees made some bad decisions that impacted the outcome of the game. It is really a shame the refs had to stick their nose in the game and dictate its outcome. It should have been left up to the players to decide. Who knows, the outcome might have been different.

First of all I have to say THANK YOU to the Seahawks for a FANTASTIC YEAR!!!! It was the best!
Secondly, congrats to the Pittsburgh Steelers, you apparently had everything (and everyone) on your side today. I'm very disappointed that we lost because of bad officiating. If we had been out played and lost, so be it. But losing because of poor officiating is even worse.

The Seahawks are the clear winners in my book!

THANKS HAWKS FOR THE GREAT RIDE!!!!!!!!!!

My brother and I are HUGE 'Skins fans. He showed me this site tonight. We are also huge football fans and feel cheated.

Guys (and gals) your team was RIPPED OFF. This farce of a game culminates a post season of football that I haven't witnessed in nearly 3 decades of pro football. A post season where so many terrible calls were made or weren't called. I'll try and rattle off a few from this game:

Offensive PI in the end zone. Should've been a no call.

Holding call on critical reception on the 1 yard line. Should've been a no call.

Offsides should have been called on the same play above, AND the next play, where Matt threw the interception...which leads to...

LOW BLOCKING call on Matt when he is TACKLING the runner????????? That's a first in the NFL. Someone prove me wrong.

"0" on the play clock on critical Steelers series in the 4th Q. Ref gives Ben the timeout.

Ben throws LOW BLOCK on Randle El's pass to Hines, but that doesn't get called.

At least 3 of these plays were game-changing calls or no calls.

There MUST be accountability here. I feel ripped off as an NFL fan. I imagine you Seahawks fans are even more frustrated and angry.

Now the terrible clock management inside two minutes can only be blamed on the Seahawks. But that is not what lost them the game.

Refs are going to Disney World.

We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.
... again... We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.
and again... We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.
and again... We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.
and again... We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.
and again... We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.
and again... We ought to sue the NFL for frawd.

Good call Cobb. We are so angry in Seahawk Nation it is hard to describe. I have been a Seattle area pro sports fan for 30 years and got over the "Home Team Blindness" syndrome years ago. I can accept a deserved loss and move on, grownups do that. But this was an outrage. It is the worst officiating I have ever witnessed in Super Bowl history. The TRUE score? Seattle 17, Pittsburgh 14

Great comments from everbody. I think the same comments/messages should be sent to the NFL and/or national media. Someone needs to be held accountable for this. Until this happens, the same corrupt behavior will continue. After all, it us US that pay for these players salaries, the stadiums, etc. I would think the least we could expect in return is a fair game.

Someone from the Seahawks and the local/national media need to stand up and speak up against this travesty called 'Super Bowl XL' just displayed on national stage! I am sicken by the blatant officiating bias. The Seahawks were totally robbed plain and simple. Yes they did not play a perfect game and have made a few mistakes down the stretch. In no way they were beaten by a more superior team. The refs' calls were against the Seahawks the entire night and it killed their momentum with at least 4 bad calls (or very questionable at best) that gave The Steelers chances. The Jackson's push, Rothelisburger's non-touchdown, Locklear's holding,Hasselbeck's foul... The NFL and the media want Pittsburg to win and it is painfully obvious. The NFL owes the Seattle Seahawks and football fans across the world hell of an explaination.

Someone from the Seahawks and the local/national media need to stand up and speak up against this travesty called 'Super Bowl XL' just displayed on national stage! I am sicken by the blatant officiating bias. The Seahawks were totally robbed plain and simple. Yes they did not play a perfect game and have made a few mistakes down the stretch. In no way they were beaten by a more superior team. The refs' calls were against the Seahawks the entire night and it killed their momentum with at least 4 bad calls (or very questionable at best) that gave The Steelers chances. The Jackson's push, Rothelisburger's non-touchdown, Locklear's holding,Hasselbeck's foul... The NFL and the media want Pittsburg to win and it is painfully obvious. The NFL owes the Seattle Seahawks and football fans across the world hell of an explaination.

In baseball or basketball, one bad call does not make much difference. Two or three bad calls does. Football is a game of momentum. One bad call can change the momentum of the game and thre or four will change the outcome of a game. I am a huge seattle fan and would accept a legitimate loss just fine and congratulate the Steelers. This game was a mockery. This officiating crew should be sent down to High School!!! How sad, even for the Steelers to be in a game so poorly offficiated as it sheds doubt on the legitimacy of the victory.

Coming from California I'm not even a football fan, but seeing today's game made me sick. I'm not surprised if this Seattle team breaks up after this. Obviously rigged from the start and heartbreaking to see a better team lose from poor officiating.

they wont break the team up... this just made us hunger for the title more, especially with Paul Allen as an owner

Seahawks fans, I feel your pain. It's the state of America right now. We have a corrupt president and adminstration in power and it permeates to the lowest level of society, our beloved sports games. Time for a change from the Top down. You deserved to win, you were robbed. I was appalled and disgusted at watching this game, having NO BIAS, I still was appalled by the inepitude from supposedly the BEST (?) officiating crew the NFL could offer! Sick just plan sick! You deserved the victory.
Bills fan

I found another article at Fox Sports that tells it like it is:

Refs were far from Super in this one

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5310192

I found another article at Fox Sports that tells it like it is:

Refs were far from Super in this one

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5310192

I found another article at Fox Sports that tells it like it is:

Refs were far from Super in this one

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5310192

As a steeler fan I have to admit the superbowl party I threw sucked, I felt guilty after the game and could not stick it to my friends that were cheering Seattle. What has the NFL come to? Figure 100K fans in Detroit at a 90/10 split for Pittsburg. If pit wins say half the fans (45K Fans) purchase something shirt, whatever, say they spend 50 BUcks = 2,250,000$$. If Seattle wins say half their fans spend money (5K fans) at 50 bucks = 250,000 I guess the NFL sold its integrity for a cool 2 mil. Sad day in sports history.

tj, you are more than likely a seahawks fan lying to make it seem like even pittsburgh fans buy into your conspiracy theories.. i think bill cowher summed it up best, when asked about the officiating:

"21-10, that's all that needs to be said."

It's interesting that you honks are biotching about all the bad calls you got - how about calling a block in the back that was thrown against Roethlisberger on that runback?!? Probably the most glaring penalty NOT CALLED!

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