NFL Network's Black And Gold Lead-In

NFL Network provided a lead-in to the start of the 2009-10 pro football season with the latest installment of its Emmy Award-winning America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions franchise.

For those otherwise focusing on pennant races or the U.S. Open, I remind that Santonio Holmes and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who kick off the season against the Tennessee Titans Thursday night on NBC, grabbed their league record sixth Lombardi Trophy — a quite sticky ornament at that as those who watch the doc will discover — in the waning seconds of Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.

This series, over the course of its one-hour retrospective from NFL Films, reminds of the highpoints and some of the low moments from the championship season past that may have faded into the recesses of the memory banks since February.

With Mad Men supreme Jon Hamm supplying the overall narration, this story is told from the perspectives of Mike Tomlin, the youngest coach to win an NFL title; Ben Roethlisberger, the QB with the most wins all-time after five seasons; and soft-spoken safety Troy Polamalu, he of the flowing mane and cut-back plays.

While there were a tad too many locker room platitudes for my taste, insights can be gained by those huddling in front of their small screen. In particular, Tomlin’s attention to the Steelers’ practice detail — initially, it was the team’s lack thereof — makes James Harrison’s incredible interception return before the half in Super Bowl XLIII even more dramatic.

The film premiered Sept. 9, but will encore throughout the month ahead, including tomorrow at 3 p.m. It’s a very good watch for all football fans.

But there’s more for those who bleed black and gold and really want to psyche themselves up as their team attempts to defend its crown. NFL Network also will showcase the other five editions of America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions, starring their favorite squad, on the hour, kicking off at 10 a.m. on Sept. 10.

Bulletin board fodder against the Titans aside, terrible towels might have another purpose for some Steelers supporters who relive the team’s past glories on this NFL Network series.