Washington  - US President Barack Obama has gotten behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in their attempt to claim a sixth national American football title in the Super Bowl Sunday.

Obama told reporters he intends to pull of for the Steelers when they take the field against the underdog Arizona Cardinals, the team from the home state of Senator John McCain, his opponent in the November 4 election.

Obama said after his hometown Chicago Bears, the Steelers from the working-class city in Pennsylvania are his next favorite team.

"I wish the best to the Cardinals. They've been long-suffering. It's a great Cinderella story," Obama said. "But other than the Bears, the Steelers are probably the team that's closest to my heart."

Steelers owner Dan Rooney, a life-long Republican, switched sides and backed the Democrat Obama on the campaign trail. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also supported Obama, and Franco Harris, the celebrated Steelers running back who helped the team win four Super Bowls in the 1970s, campaigned for him.

"Mr Rooney, the owner, was just an extraordinary supporter during the course of the campaign. Franco Harris was campaigning for me in Pittsburgh. Coach Tomlin was a supporter," Obama said.

Pennsylvania, considered a key prize in the presidential election, went for the winning Democrat.

The Cardinals are appearing in the Super Bowl for the first time in the franchise's history. They made a remarkable run against favoured teams to reach the championship following a mediocre 9-7 regular season record.

The Steelers finished the regular reason with a 12-4 record. They have won five championships and played in six Super Bowls. (dpa)