PITTSBURGH -- An estimated 350,000 Steelers fans lined the streets of downtown Pittsburgh Tuesday, watching a parade for the six-time Super Bowl champions.
RELATED: Steeler Nation Goes Global With WTAE's Parade Webcast Players were bused to the Port Authority's
Martin Luther King, Jr. East Busway entrance on Grant Street. From there, they got into cars and proceeded down Grant to the Boulevard of the Allies to Stanwix Street.
"We brought it back baby, No. 6," Holmes said after a rousing welcome to the stage from his teammates as defensive MVP. "I'd like to share this with everybody. Thanks to my teammates and God's will, we made it we did it for everybody."
RAW VIDEO: 
MVP Santonio Holmes Speaks Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney and his son, team President Art Rooney II, were at the head of the procession in a black SUV with Terrible Towels waving in the breeze.
RAW VIDEO:Art Rooney Speaks "Stay with us," Dan Rooney said. "Maybe we'll get the seventh next year."
Coach Mike Tomlin, a Super Bowl winner in just his second season at age 36, opted to walk the parade route rather than ride in a red convertible Corvette as planned. Tomlin even walked most of the route of the parade route high-fiving fans.
"What do you say to this? Steeler Nation, you leave us all speechless," said Tomlin as he addressed a sea of fans.
RAW VIDEO: Mike Tomlin Speaks His players followed in several SUVs and trucks, waving to the black and gold-clad crowd.
James Harrison, the Defensive Player of the Year, proudly raised the team's sixth Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl XLIII.
"I'd like to thank the city, the fans, and the Rooney organization. We had a tough schedule, but we went through everything and came through with the ultimate goal," said Harrison.
RAW VIDEO: James Harrison Speaks Mayor Luke Ravenstahl ceremonially renamed the city "Sixburgh" for the day. He rode through the parade at quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's side.
RAW VIDEO: Ben Roethlisberger Speaks Instead of sitting in school, one young boy stood along the parade route holding a sign that said "Sorry Teach I Have Sixburgh Fever."
The vehicles stopped near the corner of Stanwix and the Boulevard of the Allies, where players and coaches took to a temporary stage for the final celebration of their Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
"Ain't nothing like it. It’s even sweeter the second time around. There can’t be nobody at work or at school right now in Pittsburgh," said nose tackle Casey Hampton.
Marching bands from Thomas Jefferson, Bethel Park, South Fayette, Carrick, Perry and Brashear high schools took part in the festivities. The six bands were chosen to represent each of the Steelers' Super Bowl victories.
Fans clogged the streets as the parade passed by, and a WTAE Channel 4 Action News picture shows fans filling up some of the city parking garages to get a bird's eye view of the parade. People lined sidewalks about 20 deep on the Boulevard of the Allies.
"This is my first time in America, actually. I've been here for six months and I love the Steelers," said Oscar Steindorsson, of Iceland.
Some fans who took off work for the parade said they cleared it with their boss, but out of some 350,000 people, it wasn't too hard to find plenty of others who may have some explaining to do Wednesday.
For some of the fans who skipped work or school Tuesday, it wasn't easy. Some fans marked their spot along the parade route as early as 5 a.m. in below-freezing temperatures, and it wasn't until 2:30 p.m. when the crowd started to disperse.
Six high school marching bans received permission to leave school and participate in the parade. The bands hailed form Bethel Park, Brashear, Carrick, Perry, South Fayette and Thomas Jefferson high schools.
Bob Mayo's Blog: Your thoughts on the parade plans?
Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 
