PITTSBURGH -- Thousands of face-painted, towel-waving, black-and-gold-wearing fans crowded downtown Pittsburgh streets on Tuesday to celebrate the Steelers' fifth Super Bowl victory.

The parade started at Mellon Arena and wound through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh. After it ended, a rally was held near Gateway Center.

Wide receiver Hines Ward, the MVP of Super Bowl XL, gave a short speech thanking the team's followers.

"This is where the championship truly belongs -- in the city of Pittsburgh," he said.

Ward then introduced his former teammate, the newly retired Jerome Bettis. Fans chanted "Thank You" as Bettis spoke.

"I'm so thankful for everything this city has given me, and I'm happy that we were able to give the city one for the thumb," Bettis said. "This has been a long time coming. Everybody in this organization wanted to get this one for you."

Coach Bill Cowher stepped up to the microphone and asked "Who Dey?" The crowd shouted back, "We Dey!"

Some body-surfing also broke out. James Harrison, Ricardo Colclough and Troy Polamalu all stood on top of their parade truck while it was stopped and dove into the crowd.

Guy Costa, director of the city's public works department, estimated that about 250,000 fans lined the streets during the parade. Some climbed lampposts and traffic lights to get a good vantage point.

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Global Event

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Parade Quotes

"Twenty-six years it took to get one for the thumb. One hand down, another hand to go." -Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.

"I just want to say thank you for the greatest fans in the world. You've been with us in every city we've been in this year." -Steelers president Art Rooney II.

"You know what? We played in Detroit in a dome, but we really played in Pittsburgh out there." -kicker Jeff Reed.

"Plan on doing this once a year, baby. We plan on bringing the Super Bowl back to Pittsburgh." -linebacker Joey Porter.

"We appreciate fans all across the country, especially here in Pittsburgh ... We said we would bring it home and here we are right now." - wide receiver Antwan Randle-El.

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