“This is a team,” Roethlisberger said. “We stand up for each other, we look out for each other. And I think that’s one of the reasons we have the success that we have is because we are there for each other and we treat each other like we’re family and we see each other as family.”

Ward has long been someone whom other players have turned to, particularly on offense. He is playing for his third Super Bowl title in six seasons. Ward remains a cog for that group, even as Roethlisberger’s reliance on the deep pass has expanded. Ward caught 59 passes for 755 yards and 5 touchdowns this season, and although he is nowhere near as fast as Mike Wallace, he caught one fewer pass than Wallace did.

When Wallace arrived last season, Ward and Santonio Holmes took him under their wings. On the field, Ward told Wallace how to run routes and block. Off the field, Ward told him to always protect himself.

“He is the biggest influence on the whole team,” Wallace said. “He’s one of few guys they respect around the league. When he says things like that, it boosts our team up, and he has a lot of credibility. He’s the face of the franchise.”

Before Bettis retired, that was his job, fielding complaints and concerns from coaches and players, and filtering opinions to the public. Ward looked up to Bettis when they shared a locker room and now, from a distance, Bettis has watched Ward.

“It’s a natural evolution,” Bettis said in a telephone interview. “As you become an elder statesman, you realize it’s important for you to continue the legacy that the guys before you set. It’s up to you to pass it on. This year, more than ever before, there have been national issues. He’s always been very forthcoming in talking to the media. They know he’s going to shoot you straight. Obviously, it’s refreshing when you have one of your superstars call it like he sees it.”

Inside the locker room, away from the cameras, Steelers players prevailed on Ward to take an even more active role with the youngest members of the offense  among them the rookie receivers Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders  after Holmes was traded to the Jets during the off-season. Then, a few weeks ago, when the Steelers were preparing for the playoffs, Ward stood before his teammates and implored them  particularly the youngest ones who had not been to the playoffs  to raise their games. Just as Ward has raised his voice.

“If you don’t want my opinion, don’t ask,” Ward said. “People may disagree with what I have to say; some people might say, ‘I understand what he’s saying.’ It seems people just look at us as football players. I’m a strongly opinionated person. I won’t say much if I don’t feel strongly about it.”