"Seated in Jason Taylor's living room nine months ago at his South Florida home, Jets coach Rex Ryan began making an improbable pitch to an improbable target, attempting to convince a Dolphins icon to join his most hated enemy.

Not even Ryan could possibly have predicted just how special this ride, which now will include a fairytale homecoming in Pittsburgh, had the potential to be.

"I've enjoyed the whole journey all year," said Taylor, now looking as comfortable as ever in a Jets' T-shirt Thursday. "From the moment Rex sat down in my living room [in April], it's been a fantastic journey. We're not done yet."

Taylor, who is one game away from making the Super Bowl for the first time in 14 NFL seasons, will have the chance to play in an AFC Championship Game in the city where he was born, against the team he was raised to love.

For a Pittsburgh native preparing to play the Steelers on Sunday in the twilight of his career, this has been one surreal way to get back home.

"To go back to where it all started, it's pretty cool," Taylor said. "The game is big for so many reasons. It's been a long journey to get to this point in my career.""