93.7 The Fan's 50 Super Football Moments in Pittsburgh Championship History
Listen to 93.7 The Fan each weekday as we celebrate the 50 Super Football Moments in Pittsburgh Championship History. Which do you remember and which is your favorite moment? Take a look at our list and then choose your six favorite moments in the poll below.
1. Pittsburgh record setting run defense
The Pittsburgh defense stifles the run game, allowing a championship record of only 17 yards rushing in 21 carries in a 16-6 win over Minnesota. And holding Minnesota to 119 total yards offense was another championship defensive record.
2. Glen Edwards hit on John Gilliam
Edwards' bone crushing collision on Gilliam at the five yard line popped the ball in the air, which Mel Blount ran to and intercepted, thwarting a Minnesota scoring drive deep in Pittsburgh territory and preserving the slim 2-0 lead into half time.
3. Dwight White leaves hospital for championship
Suffering the effects from pneumonia and losing 20 pounds in the week before the championship game, Dwight White not only started on the defensive line, he helped anchor a defense that help Minnesota to the fewest rushing yards and fewest total yards in championship history. And White recorded a safety.
4. Dwight White records first safety in modern championship history
Quarterback Fran Tarkenton botches a second quarter handoff to Dave Osborne. The ball is inadvertently kicked by L.C. Greenwood to the end zone, where Tarkenton covered and White tagged him for the safety. Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead, which was the half time score.
5. Marv Kellum
In a game dominated by defense, Pittsburgh kicks off to Minnesota clinging to a 2-0 lead. On a wet turf, kicker Roy Gerela slips and strikes a squib-like kick down the center of the field. It bounced into and out of the arms of Minnesota's Bill Brown. Marv Kellum, a special teams backup linebacker, jumped on the loose ball to give Pittsburgh the ball. Four plays and two Franco Harris runs later made it 9-0 in Pittsburgh's first big game appearance.
6. Franco Harris MVP game
Franco rushes for 158 yards and a third quarter touchdown in Pittsburgh first championship win in 43 years.
7. I thought we were going to the Super Dome?
The ninth championship game was originally scheduled to be the opening event for the Louisiana Super Dome. But construction delays and various other issues put the Dome about seven months behind schedule, forcing the NFL to use plan B: Tulane Stadium. But a transit strike left streetcars and mass transportation out of commission during championship week.
8. First championship game ball to The Chief
Following their first championship win against the Minnesota, linebacker Andy Russell was honored to award game balls to appropriate players. Russell says it had been decided a ball was to be awarded to Joe Greene. But when he stepped up on a make shift riser to award the ball to Greene, Russell noticed owner Art Rooney Senior and immediately changed his mind and awarded the ball The Chief! This would be the first of four championships in a six year run solidifying the Pittsburgh's place as team of the 1970's decade.
9. Lynn Swann juggles and comes down with a spectacular catch
It ended up a 53 yard reception as Swann stayed with a deflection off of Dallas cornerback Mark Washington to make one of the most memorable catches in championship history.
10. Terry Bradshaw to Lynn Swann
The Bradshaw to Swann combination was magic, connecting for the game winning touchdown with 3:06 left in the game to capture Pittsburgh second consecutive championship. Bradshaw was slammed to the turf on the 64 yard bomb to Swann and was knocked out of the game. Swann was named the MVP with 161 yards and a touchdown leading Pittsburgh to a come from behind victory.
11. Steel Curtain sacks Staubach
Pittsburgh punished future Hall of Famer Roger Staubach. Roger the Dodger escaped the pocket on many occasions, but the Pittsburgh defense converged to sack him seven times and force him to throw an uncharacteristic three interceptions in the Tenth Championship game.
12. Mike Wagner won't get fooled again
Still fuming to himself for his part in a first quarter touchdown toss that Pittsburgh surrendered to the Dallas combination of Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson, Pittsburgh safety Mike Wagner had that formation emblazed in his brain, replaying what had happened in his head. On first down with Pittsburgh leading 12-10, Dallas came to the line with the same look. Wagner was ready. He jumped the route and picked off Staubach in front of Pearson. The turnover led to another Roy Gerela field goal and a 15-10 lead.
13. Lambert body slams Dallas DB Cliff Harris
Following a missed Roy Gerela field goal in the tenth championship, Harris taunted the Pittsburgh kicker by patting him on the helmet and getting in his face following his missed kick. Lambert, who was blocking on the play, see this, grabs Harris and throws him to the turf.
14. Reggie Harrison's blocked punt
Pittsburgh backup fullback Reggie Harrison blocked Dallas punter Mitch Hoopes 4th quarter punt. It rolled through the end zone for a safety that cut the Dallas lead to 10-9. Harrison split his tongue when Hoopes' foot struck him in the mouth.
15. Edwards interception seals the deal
With :03 seconds remaining, Dallas tries a final desperation pass for a victory. Roger Staubach's throw is tipped by Mike Wagner and picked off in the end zone by safety Glen Edwards, who ran it back to the 28 yard line to give Pittsburgh its second consecutive championship.
16. Terry Bradshaw, Championship MVP
Sets a championship record 318 yards (17 of 30) and threw four touchdown passes to give Pittsburgh it's third championship in five years.
17. The Lynn Swann Leap
Following a Dallas turnover in Pittsburgh's first , Swann's 18 yard leaping catch over double coverage (and over nemesis Cliff Harris) sealed the deal for Pittsburgh's third championship.
18. Mel Blount rule need not apply
When a league changes rules because of the way you play the game, it's a testament to being a master at your craft (incidentally, Pittsburgh has three such luminaries). Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount was one such artist. His momentum changing interception of quarterback Roger Staubach late in the first half of the 13th Big Game was pivotal. Dallas was marching into Pittsburgh territory, looking to take the lead, when Blount stepped in front of Drew Pearson for the pick. On the ensuing drive, Terry Bradshaw tossed to Rocky Bleier for a seven point half time lead.
19. John Stallworth record setting touchdown
Stallworth sets a championship record with the longest pass play for touchdown in the modern day game, a 75 yard strike from Terry Bradshaw to tie the game early in the second quarter, his second touchdown catch of the game.
20. Pittsburgh wins third Lombardi Trophy
With the victory in the 13th championship, Pittsburgh became the first team to win three championships.
21. Jackie Smith end zone drop
On third and three from the Pittsburgh ten yard line, Dallas quarterback Roger Staubach fired into the end zone to wide open tight end Jackie Smith, who slipped, fell and had the ball bounce off his hands. A Dallas touchdown would have tied the game at 21 with three minutes left in the third quarter. Pittsburgh winds up winning the game 35-31.
22. I'll spot you a C and an A, but not the Lombardi
There was no love between Pittsburgh and Dallas. In their second big game facing one another, Dallas linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson said before the game that Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw couldn't spell CAT if you spotted him the "C" and the "A." (In 1987, Henderson revealed that during the game, he inhaled liquefied cocaine through a nose-spray bottle inside a pocket on his uniform pants) In the 4th quarter, Henderson hit Bradshaw after the whistle and Franco Harris took offense. He jawed with Henderson, went back to the huddle and asked for the ball. He scored on a 22 yard run the next play.
23. Bradshaw to Stallworth on the march for the fourth trophy
On third and eight and Pittsburgh trailing 19-17, Terry Bradshaw connected on a post pattern to a streaking John Stallworth at the Los Angeles 32 yard line in what broadcaster Tom Brookshier called "one of the great catches you'll ever see". It was only Stallworth's second catch of the day, and the game winner.
24. Lambert interception of Vince Ferragamo
The lead changed hands six times in Pittsburgh's fourth championship appearance, this one in the Rose Bowl. With under six minutes remaining and Los Angeles moving deep into Pittsburgh territory and the home team trailing by five, Lambert drifted back to pick off Ferragamo. It was Los Angeles' only turnover of the game and it proved costly.
25. Stallworth makes another circus catch
On a third and seven, trying to kill the clock with a five point lead, Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw lofted a 43 yard pass into double coverage to Stallworth, who slowed, looked over his left shoulder and caught the ball over his right shoulder at the LA 25 yard line.
26. Surprise onside
Trailing by ten points and following a field goal early in the fourth quarter of the Triple X Championship game, Coach Bill Cowher calls a "surprise onside", an onside kick that Pittsburgh's Deon Figures grabs to retain possession. The ensuing nine play drive was capped by Bam Morris' touchdown run to cut the Dallas lead to 20-17.
27. Neil O'Donnell to Larry Brown, AGAIN
It was the Triple X Championship in the Tempe, Arizona desert. With 4:10 remaining in the game and trailing by a field goal, quarterback Neil O'Donnell threw right into the chest Dallas cornerback Larry Brown. It was the second time in the second half that defender Brown was wide open, all alone and thrown the ball. The ensuing Dallas touchdown led to an insurmountable 27-17 advantage. Brown was named the game MVP.
28. Rod Woodson returns for Dual in the Desert
Rod Woodson, who had suffered a torn ACL in week one of the 1995 season, became the first player in football history to return from reconstructive knee surgery to play in the same season, played in the Triple X Championship.
29. The Great Emmitt Smith held in check
OK, he did score two touchdowns and had a 23 yard jaunt, but the Pittsburgh defense bottled up the future Hall of famer in the Triple X Championship holding him to his lowest yardage output (49 yards in 18 carries) of his three big game appearances, (108 yds, 132 yds 3TDs vs. Buffalo).
30. The Bus makes an entrance in Detroit
Jerome Bettis, in his final game, in his home town of Detroit, enters the field alone. It's a tribute offered by his teammates to honor the future Hall of Famer, setting the stage for Pittsburgh sixth Championship appearance.
31. The "Neutral Crowd" at the 40th Championship
Detroit hosted the 2006 Championship game, a four hour drive from Pittsburgh, versus a 2,350 mile drive from Seattle. Pittsburgh fans add to their global reputation of traveling with the team, heightened by the loudness of an enclosed stadium. Broadcaster Al Michael's said the crowd "was about as neutral as Lake Placid was when the U.S. was playing the Soviet Union in 1980."
32. Joey Porter shoulders the media storm
When Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens effectively guaranteed a victory in the Big Game, saying it would be a sad day for hometown hero Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter had heard enough. "I've been asleep all week but now I got woke up" Porter said at media day. He blasted Stevens and stood up for Bettis, shouldering most of the media heat and attention for the rest of the week. It was a calculated move by Porter, one to divert distractions from his teammates and specifically quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who could stay focused on game preparations.
33. Controversial Call #1 - Darrell Jackson's Offensive Pass interference
Seattle drives to take a 7-0 lead in the 40th Championship when Matt Hassellbeck connects to Darrell Jackson for a 16 yard touchdown. But a late flag is thrown as Jackson was ruled to have pushed off safety Chris Hope. Seattle settles for a 47 yard field goal. The play was the first straw for what became a rousing chorus of Seattle Sour Gripes towards the officials that snowballed throughout the game.
34. Redemption
After dropping a pass late in the second quarter against Seattle, Hines Ward caught a 37-yard third-down pass from Ben Roethlisberger to set up the Pittsburgh's first touchdown, which gave them a 7-3 lead with 1:55 to play in the first half. Ward would go on to be neames MVP of the championship game.
35. Here comes the gadget play
Leading 14-10 with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh's all-purpose receiver and former Indiana University QB Antwaan Randle El launches a 43-yard touchdown strike on an end around gadget play to eventual MVP Hines Ward. Pittsburgh would go on to win to beat Seattle 21-10 gaining their then record tying fifth championship.
36. Another Championship record setter
Fast Willie Parker scampered untouched 75 yards on the second play from scrimmage in the second half giving Pittsburgh a 14-3 lead in the 40th championship. To that point, Parker's touchdown run became the longest rushing play in championship game history, passing Marcus Allen's 74 yard jaunt.
37. Controversial Call #2
Possibly the most talked about call of the game is when Ben Roethlisberger is awarded a touchdown at the two-minute of the mark of the first half giving the Pittsburgh a 10-0 lead. Whether the ball crossed the plane of the goal line is still debated to this day.
38. Controversial Call #3
Seattle's Sean Locklear is called for offensive holding on a play that Pittsburgh linebacker Clark Haggans may have jumped off sides on to get to QB Matt Hasselbeck. Haggans was the player Locklear held. The completed pass would have put the ball at the 1 yard line. And in a sudden turn of events, Hasselbeck is sacked on the following play.
39. Ike Taylor turns the tide
With Seattle stumbling but still moving the ball in the fourth quarter and trailing 14-10, Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck is intercepted by Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor. On the runback, Hasselbeck tackles Taylor, but in the process dives at Pittsburgh's Deshea Townsend and gets an additional 15 years tacked on for blocking below the waist.
40. Jerome hoists the Lombardi Trophy
"I think the Bus' last stop is here in Detroit" is what Jerome Bettis told the adoring crowd as he hoisted the championship trophy from a podium on Ford Field in his home town of Detroit. "I'm a champion" said Bettis after the team captured "one for the thumb."
41. Finally
Bill Cowher had been the head coach of Pittsburgh for 14 seasons. This was his second team to go to the championship game, and the first time back to the championship in ten years. Standing on the victory podium after he was handed the Lombardi Trophy, Cowher handed it to owner Dan Rooney . "Mr. Rooney," said Cowher, "I've been waiting to do this a long time. This one is for you!"
42. 100 Yards and a cloud of Silverback
Down 10-7 with :18 seconds remaining in the 43rd Big Game, Arizona's Kurt Warner zipped a one yard pass into the hands of Pittsburgh LB James Harrison at the goal line. The Silverback, as Harrison is known, races a league record 100 yards for the interception return for touchdown to give Pittsburgh the lead. Has there ever been a better end to a first half than this play? Pittsburgh would go on to win the game 27-23.
43. If there's already "The Catch", what do you call this?
In arguably the greatest pitch and catch scene in championship history, Ben Roethlisberger throws a six yard dart to WR Santonio Holmes, who, on his tip toes, keeps in bounds and holds possession of the ball in the back corner of the end zone with :35 seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh a 27-23 win over Arizona for their record sixth championship.
44. Larry Fitzgerald's two spectacular touchdowns
Fitzgerald's first score is a leaping grab on a third and goal fade pattern that cut the Pittsburgh lead to six. Following a Pittsburgh penalty is the end zone, resulting in a safety that cut the lead to four, Fitzgerald, a Pitt alumni, split the center of the defense and took a Kurt Warner pass 64 yards for a touchdown to take the lead with 2:37 remaining.
45. Santonio Holmes catches before the game winner
As impressive as the acrobatic touchdown reception was, Pittsburgh got to that position thanks to succession of Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes catches and runs. Pittsburgh needed to go 78 yards. It was Holmes for five, Holmes for twelve, and then from the Arizona 48, Holmes took a toss at the 35 and sprinted to the six yard line. And after one sailed through his hands in the end zone, Holmes made his game winning grab on the subsequent play.
46. Santonio Holmes MVP
Holmes had nine catches for 131 yards including his highlight reel game winning catch to give Pittsburgh its record setting sixth championship.
47. LaMarr Woodley strips the ball to ice the championship
On the final play of the game and Arizona's last chance to win, Woodley collapses the side pocket and strips quarterback Kurt Warner of the ball. Brett Keisel recovered the fumble to launch the sixth franchise championship celebration.
48. Two Roethlisberger 1st half picks
After Green Bay jumped to a 7-0 lead, a couple of Roethlisberger picks led Green Bay to a 21—3 lead. One was returned by safety Nick Collins 37 yards for a pick six when nose tackle Howard Green hit Ben as he threw the ball.
49. Mendenhall fumbles the ball
Trailing 21-17 and driving for a go-ahead score, Pittsburgh starts the fourth quarter facing a 2nd down and two from the Green Bay 33. Clay Matthews collides with Rashard Mendenhall and his helmet popped the ball free. Desmond Bishop recovered and Green Bay marched down to score another touchdown. Mistakes cost Pittsburgh as 21 of 28 Green Bay points were scored off turnovers.
50. Off the field issues
It was an unkind week in the Metroplex. Snow and ice caused traffic problems and cancelled flights in the Dallas – Ft. Worth – Arlington , Texas area. Six people were injured when snow fell from the roof of AT&T Stadium. A few hours before the game, 1,250 temporary seats were deemed unsafe, many of which had an $800 face value. Nearly 400 people with tickets could not be seated inside the stadium. And to wrap up the pre-game nightmares, Wexford native Christina Aguilera botched the words to the national anthem.
93.7 The Fan's 50 Super Football Moments in Pittsburgh Championship History is sponsored by CW Electrical Services.
