Enduring memories from Super Bowl XLIII

FLAGSTAFF -- The Arizona Cardinals never will forget Super Bowl XLIII.

Some of them would like to. Even now, the recollection of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes catching Ben Roethlisberger’s pass in the corner of the end zone hits them like a runaway truck.

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But in the six months that have passed, they’ve managed to hold onto other memories, to remember just how special the day was, even if it ended in defeat.

With the Cardinals and Steelers playing Thursday in the preseason opener at Heinz Field, we thought it would be a good time to ask the players for their enduring memory from Super Bowl Sunday.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

Guard Deuce Lutui: “From a religious standpoint, my parents don’t come to my games on Sundays. They watch them from home because of their dedication to our religion. So it was really special … I could feel their prayers and their love for me wishing they could be at the biggest game of their son’s life but they chose to worship the Lord that day. That particular day was a great spiritual testimony.”

Linebacker Karlos Dansby: “The whole game, from the coin toss to the national anthem to just being in the locker room and seeing everybody on the sideline. That kind of game has a huge magnitude and leaves a lasting impression the rest of your life.”

Coach Ken Whisenhunt: “I vividly remember Larry (Fitzgerald) running down the field with the ball and looking up at the clock and just thinking, ‘Gosh, there’s too much time.’ That’s probably the thing I remember the most about it.”

Quarterback Kurt Warner: “I have a whole bunch of memories but the one thing I remember in regards to the football side of it is I remember being on the field in warm-ups and really just appreciating the setting … Just finding ourselves in the Super Bowl and finding myself back in the Super Bowl. The biggest thing I was just relaxed and excited to be there. It wasn’t so much about nerves. I was enjoying the moment. I knew my family was going to be there, with this organization and young group of guys it was just a neat situation as I was warming up in the stadium.”

Defensive end Darnell Dockett: “I set my goal. I said wanted to be the best defensive lineman on Super Bowl day and I was. You know what was a good memory, too? After the game I saw (Pittsburgh) wide receiver Hines Ward crying on the sideline. I went up to him and gave him a hug because he’s one of my favorite receivers. I was happy for him.”

Safety Antrel Rolle: “My most memorable moment had to be when Larry Fitzgerald caught that pass and split the defense. That was a miraculous moment but at the same time, right after that I didn’t feel like it was over at all. I still knew we had to go out there and play.”

Running back Tim Hightower: “Just having all my friends and family come, the people that have been supporting me. It’s been a long journey, playing football since the fourth grade and having all the people who had any bit of help and hand in getting me to this point … it was special to see them all up there together and excited and so proud.”

Nose tackle Bryan Robinson: “There were a lot of good memories, but if you’re going to ask me that, it was that touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes. That’s the thing they play on TV all the time when they’re promoting the season, that’s on the magazines, that’s what you remember. I just remember how I felt once the game was over with and it wasn’t the same way I felt after we played Philadelphia. It was a different feeling. Yeah, I was happy to be able to play in that game after so long but I just remember how bad it felt after the game was over.”

Linebacker Chike Okeafor: “I found out a week before the Super Bowl while we were down there that my wife was pregnant, that we had a baby girl on the way and I had a bunch of family and probably 50 friends there and I got the opportunity to break the news to everybody the same time and it was a cool celebration. It was a wonderful start to the year.”