'Steelers are going to find a way to win'

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

The Pittsburgh Steelers will lift the Lombardi Trophy today and claim their seventh hold on the Super Bowl title, or at least so says former Steelers running back Verron Haynes.

Haynes, who gained an average five yards per carry during his Steelers days and has a Super Bowl ring to show for his efforts, promised not to be biased during his predictions ahead of today's game while aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas for the ESPN Super Bowl at Sea cruise.

"It would be about confidence and determination but the Steelers have a standard that has always been there regardless," said Haynes. "It may not look pretty all the time. We don't have a quarterback like Peyton Manning, who is going to throw 400 yards but somehow, someway they (Steelers) are going to find a way to win."

"It feels great to see them back in the Super Bowl and to tell you the truth, there are no better fans in the world and I can honestly say that their winning mentality starts from the very top of the organisation; from the owner then it trickles down to the staff, management, coach and players," Hayes continued. "It's about a culture and a particular standard and I'm confident that standard will continue at the Super Bowl this year."

Haynes, the son of Trinidad and Tobago football standout Harry 'Buggy' Hayes, has been a hit on board since we left port on Thursday, well his Super Bowl ring has been. Drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL draft, Hayes, who lived in Trinidad and Tobago until he was seven years old, gained 660 yards in 159 carries, registering three touchdowns in five seasons with the Steelers.

He also recorded 39 receptions for 322 yards at an average of 8.3 yards including two touchdown receptions, but for him, the successful Super Bowl year of 2005, will always be his most fulfilling moment.

"It's the most humbling plus gratifying experience of a lifetime. You work hard as a kid to accomplish a goal and whenever that opportunity arrives it's just a great feeling. Winning this ring means everything to me because it came after much hard work and sacrifice," said Hayes, who as you may have guessed, is the first Trinidadian to have won a Super Bowl ring.

However, it could have all been different for the former Georgia State University student who actually started out with basketball and football ambitions of another sort.

"I didn't start playing football until my junior year in high school. I always played soccer at that point and basketball, but football came natural to me. In fact, the first time I had a carry, I ran 60 yards for a touchdown and from then it just took off," Haynes said.

"In high school, I also played linebacker but I liked the attention and glory that came after a touchdown so I stuck with the running back position. Nobody knows the linebackers," he laughed.

business owner

Haynes now operates a water-sports business in Trinidad and Tobago, the place he ensures everyone knows is his real 'home.' He is also heavily involved in charity activity and has formed a foundation to help with the issue of breast cancer, a disease that took the life of his 26-year-old sister sometime ago.

"I own a business in Trinidad and Tobago ... it's a water-sports company so we have that going on. I'm also heavily involved in my foundation that gives back to breast cancer awareness ... my sister passed away at 26 with that so we are working diligently to come up with a cure," said Haynes, who, by the way, is now a free agent.

He is, however, not in any great rush to get back on the field as he is concentrating on work with his alma mater and also with ESPN.