"Willie Parker said goodbye the right way on Sunday.

It was 2007 all over again, when Parker led the NFL in rushing until breaking his leg late in the season.

Or 2005-2006, with the Steelers putting the ball and the outcome of games in Parker's capable hands.

Time after time in the closing five minutes, with starting running back Rashard Mendenhall watching from the sideline, the Steelers called Parker's number, choosing the run over the pass in a surprising about-face.

Parker was a fixture in the Steelers' final drive, which resulted in Jeff Reed's 33-yard field goal in a 30-24 win over the Miami Dolphins.

"They just said, 'Three-nine. Get in there,' and a smile came to my face,'' Parker said of his late-game insertion.

You remember Parker - No. 39 - don't you?

He's the third-leading rusher in Steelers history, with 5,378 career yards on 1,253 carries and 24 touchdowns.

His 75-yard burst against Seattle in Super Bowl XL is the longest run from scrimmage in Super Bowl history.

Left tackle Max Starks, who played right tackle against the Seahawks, still recalls the run with vivid clarity.

"Willie and I came in the league together as snot-nosed rookies," Starks said. "We fought though a lot of adversity and a lot of changes. I look back to our second year. He became a starter, and I became a starter, and we won the Super Bowl.

"I remember blocking down on (Seattle linebacker) Lofa Tatupu and springing Willie on that touchdown run. You look back and say that was a hell of a run.''"