STEELERS NOTES From Pontiac, Mich.

Shaving: After the Super Bowl, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he will shave the beard he began to grow in December. "I'm just going to get rid of it, keep the goatee like I had before all this started."

Say what? Roethlisberger had this to say about Joey Porter's outburst on Wednesday: "That's just Joey being Joey — he backs it up so I'm not worried about it — he can give them all the billboard material he wants." Billboard?

Let's get ready to rumble: Porter had nothing nice to say about Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens' physical skills. "If this were a prize fight, it wouldn't be much of a fight. He doesn't belong in the same room as me."

Pittsburgh west: Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El has noticed plenty of Black and Gold support in Michigan. "Walking around Detroit, you'd think we were in Pittsburgh. There's not a team in sports, not just football, that has the fan base that we have. They are everywhere we go. It's kind of second nature to us, knowing that they are going to be there."

Bettis bash: Wednesday night, Jerome Bettis' parents hosted a dinner for about 40 of the Steelers. "Dinner was incredible. My mother and my aunt prepare a feast for my teammates. There was nothing but empty plates left. It was a great opportunity for my mother to show some support for us."

Family affair: Steelers coach Bill Cowher said his daughters athletic careers help keep him grounded. "It's given me tremendous balance. My wife does a great job of keeping our kids grounded. I can't say enough — to be able to go home to that house and be put in my place like I'm put in my place. I'm being told what to do and what to wear, where to go and there is something pretty special about that. I have four women who are very special to me and I follow them dearly. There is nothing that I'll enjoy more, even after the Super Bowl Sunday, then when I'll be in a gym Monday night watching my two younger ones play. It's special to have them there with you and it's more special to be with them when they are competing."

— Tom Williams