Former Steelers CB Bryant McFadden And A Little Known Story About An Infuriated Bill Cowher His Rookie Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense was absolutely exceptional during the 2000s and they were able to make it to three Super Bowls, winning two. During that decade or so, they were able to find the perfect players that complemented Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau's legendary schemes and each other. One of the players they acquired during that time was Bryant McFadden. McFadden recently told a story about his rookie season and getting in trouble with then-Head Coach, Bill Cowher. 

McFadden was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft as a nickelback, despite having played cornerback while in college at Florida State University. He made his way into the lineup by filling in for the injured Deshea Townsend. During his time in the Steel City, McFadden had some game-altering plays. 

During the playoffs of his rookie season, he managed to tip a ball thrown by Peyton Manning away from the intended receiver, Reggie Wayne, twice during the same drive. This forced the Indianapolis Colts to attempt a field goal to try to tie the game. They ended up missing and the Steelers won. He also had an interception and 18 tackles that same season en route to Super Bowl XL.

He left Pittsburgh in 2009 as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Arizona Cardinals, immediately after the Steelers had beaten them in Super Bowl XLIII. However, he belonged in Pittsburgh and returned as a part of a trade in 2010 to help them make it to Super Bowl XLV where they lost to the Green Bay Packers.

After leaving football in 2012, McFadden went into broadcasting and analysis. In addition to his many appearances, he now co-hosts his own podcast called All Things Covered with his cousin and current Steelers cornerback, Patrick Peterson.    

Steelers Former CB Bryant McFadden Got In Big Trouble With Bill Cowher

Recently, McFadden appeared as a guest on a podcast called Fantasy Football Today which is hosted by Adam Aizer and Dave Richard. McFadden arrived late to the show and Aizer said it was fine he was late because he heard a story about how McFadden was late to a meeting before the Super Bowl during the 2005 season. 

As mentioned, that season was McFadden's rookie year and the Steelers had a choppy start. Under the direction of Cowher, who was in his 14th season as the head coach, they were 7-5 and looking like they'd miss the playoffs. However, they pulled off some Christmas miracles, beating the Chicago Bears in early December, and starting a turnaround. 

They went on a four-game win streak, finished the season 11-5, and nabbed a Wild Card spot. In that playoff game, they met the Cincinnati Bengals and beat them 31-17. Next was the previously mentioned Colts game, which they won 21-18. Then they played the Denver Broncos for the AFC Championship. The Broncos were excellent that year and most people expected them to win, but no one told the Steelers or their fans that. 

It was a hard-fought win at Mile High Stadium in Denver. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had an outstanding game, throwing for 275 yards and two passing touchdowns, and even rushed one in himself. He was able to spread the ball out to several key players including Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Willie Parker, and Heath Miller.

The Steelers took control of that game early and did not let off the gas. Defensively, they absolutely bullied the Broncos' high-powered offense led by quarterback Jake Plummer. They forced Plummer and his offense to commit four turnovers. Winning that game propelled them forward to Detroit and Super Bowl XL. The players were of course ecstatic said McFadden, and wanted to celebrate. 

"We just beat the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, we played in Denver, we flew home and man we had fun, we partied all night long."

Next, out of the blue, Coach Cowher appeared on the screen and surprised McFadden, who exclaimed, "Oh that's Coach Cowher!" Cowher laughs and tells him not to stop on his account, to keep telling the story. Who was he with? What was this party he was talking about?"

"All the old vets: Deshea, Chris Hope, Joey [Porter Sr.], Casey [Hampton], I was with all the legends man. We partied on the plane as you remember, Coach, going back to Pittsburgh. When we got home to Pittsburgh, man we partied."

McFadden said that anyone who knows him knows that he is not really a drinker. He said he never drinks alcohol, but he can still hang with the best of them in the right situation. That party, according to McFadden, lasted well into the early hours of the morning and the players knew they had a team meeting after breakfast.    

"I told Chris Hope, I told the guys, I said, 'Y'all listen, y'all make sure y'all call my phone because after I eat this good meal, I'm really gonna have a good sleep.' They didn't listen to me and they got a missed assignment and I was late. That was the first time Coach Cowher ever called me to his office."

He said after the defensive meeting, Coach LeBeau told him that Cowher wanted to see him in his office. He said then that Cowher played a dirty trick on him as a punishment and told him that he was taking away all of his Super Bowl tickets for being tardy. 

McFadden said he was never late again and never got in trouble with Coach Cowher like that since. That team was just remarkable. They went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl 21-10. 

Do you remember that season? How surprised were you that they made it to the Super Bowl? Click to