PITTSBURGH -- The shouts echo down the long, chilly concrete hallway beneath Heinz Field. The locker rooms are close enough that you can hear the winners celebrating while you watch the losers file shuffle in silently. In the moments after the Jaguars’ stunning 45-42 victory here Sunday, vanquished Steelers could hear jubilant Jaguars quite clearly.
“Where’s Mitchell?” they shouted, looking for safety Mike Mitchell, who was quoted in a Sports Illustrated story this week talking about a seemingly inevitable Steelers-Patriots rematch. “We want Mike! Get 23 out here!”
Mitchell was in the locker room, sitting in full uniform, head in his hands, weeping openly.