Shared time at Heinz: priceless

Dear Santa,
I know you're busy with last-minute list checking and all, but I wanted to drop you a quick line to help make tonight's journey a little easier.
That DVD recorder I asked for? Forget it. I've already been given the best gift I could receive this season, so there's no reason for you to try and top what can't be surpassed.
Sunday, the Ohio State freshman in our house and I spent eight hours together on a NFL adventure.
When parents of grown children tell you life changes after your high school senior graduates, they aren't kidding. The phone rarely rings, commotion is minimal and silence creeps in where teen music once reigned.
And when she makes the rare visit from Columbus, she's usually not alone, accompanied by friends from central Ohio who want to experience the Mahoning Valley firsthand.
Trip was special
That's what made this trip so special -- just the two of us traveling to Pittsburgh, hitting a downtown department store, then walking across the Fort Duquesne Bridge to Heinz Field, home of the Steelers.
It wasn't warm and the sidewalks weren't clear of snow and ice. It didn't matter.
Many Steeler fans, disgusted by a 5-9 season, chose to stay away from the opportunity to see the 3-11 San Diego Chargers. But since I'm too cheap to eat $100 in tickets and despite the sniffles that are everywhere, we went, climbing to Row Y of Section 508 for a bird's-eye of the NFL.
It was a chance to salute wide receiver Hines Ward for another good season and a chance to say farewell to aging cornerback Dwayne Washington and maybe linebacker Jason Gildon.
As the Steelers jumped out to a 21-0 lead before the Chargers could make a first down, the conversation shifted away from the game to what life is like in Buckeyeland. As the wind picked up in the second quarter, staying much past halftime seemed unlikely.
But when San Diego scored the next 17 points, the game became interesting. Then Steelers tailback Jerome Bettis started rolling, passing Marcus Allen for seventh-place on the NFL's all-time rushing list.
And when we found out that he needed just 41 more to pass Jim Brown, we weren't going anywhere.
Bettis, as you know, came up 14 yards short, but staying to the end was priceless.
Christmas wish list
So I need nothing, but here's a few suggestions to consider:
UTo Ron Strollo, Youngstown State University athletic director -- maps of northeast Ohio for his coaches. Wouldn't it be nice if YSU gave more scholarships to Mahoning Valley athletes?
UTo Bettis -- a chance to run in 2004.
UTo Steelers coach Bill Cowher -- a GM to oversee free agency and the draft.
UTo Browns coach Butch Davis -- better luck with his next first-round pick. It could be his last.
UTo Browns running back William Green -- sobriety.
UTo Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux -- groundbreaking in 2004 for a new arena.
UTo Pittsburgh Pirates ticket sellers -- good luck.
UTo Browns quarterback Tim Couch -- happiness in a lower tax bracket.
UTo YSU football coach Jon Heacock -- a meaningful playoff race.
UTo Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon -- patience (it's going to be another awfully long season).
UTo outfielder Manny Ramirez -- a clue.
UTo shortstop Nomar Garciaparra -- nothing (he's married to Mia Hamm).
UTo Columbus Blue Jackets teen-age winger Rick Nash -- an invitation to the NHL All-Star Game.
UTo Pittsburgh Penguins teen-age goalie Marc-Andre Fleury -- fan appreciation.
UTo the NHL Players Association -- the wisdom to accept a salary cap.
UTo Jim Tressel's Ohio State Buckeyes -- more fun in the desert even if the stakes aren't as high.
As always, have a safe journey.
Your friend,
Tom
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.