Dozen most maddening plays in steeler history
DOZEN MOST MADDENING PLAYS IN STEELERS' HISTORY
By Swissvale72
Most maddening generally means that the Steelers lost the game, or else the play wouldn't be all that maddening, yes? True, with one very notable exception. That exception wreaked havoc even among the fandom of the winning eleven.
Most maddening generally means that the game was of high import, or else the play wouldn't be all that maddening, yes? True...but not always. Sometimes it was the reaction of this writer to the play that places it in this piece as most maddening.
December 31, 1972: Larry Fuckin' Seiple
A week after defeating the Oakland Raiders via the Immaculate Reception for their first ever playoff win, the Steelers faced the undefeated Dolphins at Three Rivers Stadium, a Super Bowl berth at stake. Throughout the week, the expectation was that "Steeler Weather" on New Year's Eve would assist the Black & Gold. The day dawned Florida-like in Pittsburgh, and the game was played in balmy conditions.
The Steelers took an early 7-0 lead, but lost Terry Bradshaw on the play until late in the game. Facing 4th down in the neighborhood of midfield in the 2nd quarter, I watched from my perch in the South End Zone as the Steelers punt return team peeled off for a left return toward that South End Zone. Using the Steeler defenders as a phalanx of blockers, punter Larry Seiple took off running and didn't stop until he was well within the Steelers red zone. Larry Csonka then scored on a 9-yard pass from former Steeler Earl Morrall. Jim Kiick ran for a pair of 2nd half touchdowns behind the blocking of Larry Little (what's with all these fuckin' Larrys??) and the Dolphins, behind the returning Bob Griese, were Super Bowl bound, finishing the season with a perfect mark of 17-0.
Later that night, Penn State lost to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, 14-0. Then, worst of all, Roberto Clemente's plane went down while enroute to Nicaragua on a mission of mercy. Happy Fuckin' New Year.
October 10, 1976: Turkey Fuckin' Jones
The two-time Super Bowl champion Steelers were off to an auspicious start, having lost 3 games out of their first four when they traveled to Cleveland's cavernous Municipal Stadium. Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd when asked to comment on the wind coming off of Lake Erie in that venue said, "That's what you get when you build a stadium beside the ocean." I traveled to the game and gained admission via an extra ticket that my then 30-year-old brother Tony was holding. Being a recent college graduate, the deal I agreed to was that I would drove Tony and his four friends to Cleveland in my lime-green Plymouth in exchange for a game ticket.
The Steelers struggled throughout, and in the 3rd quarter, Browns lineman Joe "Turkey" Jones broke free as Terry Bradshaw was back to pass. Jones grabbed Bradshaw, lifted him and spiked him headfirst in the Municipal Stadium turf. The spasming Bradshaw was replaced by Boston College rookie Mike Kruczek, and the Steelers lost their fourth game of the young season. They would lose no more until the AFC Championship Game as Kruczek, despite not throwing a touchdown pass at any point in his career, led the Steelers during Bradshaw's absence.
January 9, 1983: Bradshaw's Bonehead Pass
The Steelers finished the strike-shortened 1982 season with a 6-3 mark, and opened the AFC tourney, a playoff format expanded to eight teams per conference, at home against the Air Coryell version of the San Diego Chargers. The Steelers led the Bolts, 28-17, in the final frame and faced a 3rd down in their own territory. Terry Bradshaw, scrambling, had plenty of open space in front of him and could have easily gained a first down, but instead, the Blonde Bomber tossed one up for grabs, it was intercepted and soon thereafter, the Chargers were in the end zone, assisted by a pass interference call on Jack Ham on a 4th down play. The Steelers then punted, and soon Dan Fouts was throwing to Kellen Winslow for the winning touchdown.
January 7, 1990: Mark Fuckin' Stock
After winning their final three regular season games, and gaining significant help form the kindness of strangers during the season's final weeks, the Steelers grabbed the final playoff spot, and quickly dispatched of the favored Oilers in Houston during an epic overtime struggle. The following week, they were double-digit underdogs to the Denver Broncos at Mile High. The Steelers twice held 10-point leads in the contest, but a late Denver touchdown, on a long John Elway drive, left the Steelers trailing by a single point in the game's final minutes. Taking possession deep in their own territory, quarterback Bubby Brister hit VMI rookie Mark Stock in stride around midfield, close to winning field goal range. But alas, the ball clanged off of Stock's chest and fell harmlessly to earth. Brister fumbled on the next play and the Broncos recovered to seal the victory. Mark Stock never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 15, 1995: Tim Fuckin' McKyer
This time it was the Steelers who were installed as double-digits favorites, but it was once again, a warm January afternoon in Pittsburgh. Having led throughout, the Steelers clung to a 13-10 lead with San Diego facing a 3rd & 13 at the Steelers 37-yard line with less than five minutes remaining. Surely, the Chargers would opt for a short pass, placing them in position for the tying field goal. However, Stan Humphries threw deep, and a conversion seemed impossible. But reserve veteran defensive back Tim McKyer had permitted Tony Martin to access the inside and Martin hauled in the go-ahead touchdown. The Steelers drove to the San Diego 3-yard line in the final seconds, but a fourth-down pass for the game-winner was batted down, courtesy of Dennis Fuckin' Gibson!! McKyer was disconsolate, and was carried off the field of battle, an arm around respective teammates. Tim McKyer never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 28, 1996: Neil O'Fuckin' Donnell
After besting the Indianapolis Colts in an epic AFC title game, the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl, their first appearance in 16 years, having been established as double-digit underdogs to the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers trailed throughout, but took possession on their own 33-yard line, down 20-17, four minutes remaining. A first down pass was dropped by Andre Hastings, who checked the replay image on the Jumbotron as he returned to the huddle. On 2nd down, in response to a blitz, quarterback Neil O'Donnell threw an out, but Hastings had turned in, and the ball went into the hands of Cowboys defensive back Larry Brown, making his 2nd pick of the night on a ball eerily reminiscent of this first interception. In this, the first full season of NFL Sunday Ticket, this writer had not missed a play all year. I saw Neil O'Donnell never throw a ball like that...and then he throws two in one half of football. Neil O'Donnell never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 11, 1998: Chan Fuckin’ Gailey
The Steelers, behind the exciting but erratic play of quarterback Kordell Stewart, were once again in the AFC Championship game, having won three overtime contests in the regular season.
Stewart had narrowly averted disaster early in the contest, having thrown twice into double coverage but avoiding interception. Stewart had run 33 yards for one touchdown, and on the strength of a Jerome Bettis touchdown run, the Steelers lead 14-10 and faced a 2nd down & 1 on the Denver 35-yard line, with four minutes to go in the first half. Given Stewart’s tenuousness, and Bettis building toward a hundred-yard rushing day, common sense dictated a handoff to Bettis, a first down conversion, more eating of the clock, and a lead of at least seven, but perhaps eleven points at halftime. Additionally, on the Denver sideline stood none other than John Elway, and keeping the ball out of his hands was certainly a priority.
All that aside, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey called for a pass. Stewart threw long into double coverage, luck would not be on his side this time, and the pass was intercepted. Within the next two minutes, Denver was in the end zone. The Steelers were unable to move the ball, and just prior to half, Denver was in the end zone again. The 14-10 lead was now a 24-14 deficit. Denver won, 24-21 and was off to its first of two straight Super Bowl titles. Chan Gailey was hired as Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys the following month.
November 26, 1998: Heads; I mean Tails
This one's not really a play, but deserves a mention in Steelers lore. The Steelers battle back to force overtime in Motown on Turkey Day. On the coin flip, homie Jerome Bettis apparently changes his mind mid-flip, but referee Phil (Hard) Luckett goes with the first thing he hears, and awards the ball to the Lions. Steelers appear to have gotten off the field on 3rd down, but a roughing call extends the Lions’ drive. Future Steelers Charlie Batch leads his team to the game-winning field goal. The loss is the first of five straight for the Steelers to end the season. The fiasco results in the coin flip no longer being called in the air, but rather prior to the flip. The Bus's next trip to his hometown is for Super Bowl XL seven years later, his final game.
January 27, 2002: Troy Fuckin' Edwards
Double-digit favorites in the AFC Championship Game on an unseasonably warm January afternoon, the Steelers are locked in a scoreless first quarter when Josh Miller booms a punt from deep in his own territory, moving his team out of danger. Not so fast though. Prior to the game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, known for film study, has alerted the officials of the propensity of Steeler Troy Edwards to run out of bounds, then illegally back in while covering punts. Edwards own coach, Bill Cowher, either hasn't noticed this nasty habit of his player or has chosen to ignore it. Sure enough, Edwards is flagged this time for illegal touching of the ball. Prior to the re-kick, the punter Miller is pre-occupied with the placement of the ball on the hash versus the middle of the field, or the middle versus the hash. In any event, his mind wasn't on kicking the ball, and he subsequently gets off a wobbler. First man down John Fiala misses the tackle on Patriots' Troy Brown. Brown takes the kick 55 yards into the end zone for the game's first score, keying an upset victory, robbing the Steelers of a Super Bowl trip. Troy Edwards never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 27, 2002: Troy Fuckin' Brown
Two plays in the same game? You decide. Down 14-3 at the half of the AFC Championship Game, the Steelers initial drive of the 2nd half stalls in the Red Zone, and Kris Brown comes on to attempt a 34-yarder , which would narrow the deficit to one score. His kick is blocked, however, and scooped up by...Troy Brown! Brown eventually laterals the ball (illegally) to teammate Antwan Harris at midfield, who takes it the rest of the way for a 21-3 Patriots lead. What’s Troy Brown doing on the field goal block team, inquiring minds want to know? In Pittsburgh, Coach Cowher disdained the practice of playing his regulars on special teams. Kris Brown, though he's still missing big kicks in Houston, never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 11, 2003: Joe Fuckin' Nedney
Steelers are in overtime in Nashville against the favored Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Thanks to a missed tackle by Dewayne Washington on Justin McCareins, the Titans move quickly into field goal range. Kicker Joe Nedney though, misses a 31-yarder! The Steelers have life! Not so fast. Washington, destined to be the goat, has grazed the leg of Nedney, whose acting job rivals that of any World Cup soccer player, and he goes down as if he's been shot. Flags fly, and after the penalty is assessed, Nedney boots a 26-yarder, ending the Steelers' season.
Seething, I post on Stillers.com my usual refrain, that being that I hope that "Nedney breaks his fuckin' leg." Still Trivia, later-in life to be Fury, the proprietor of the site known as "The Assclowns from Across the Street" admonishes me for wishing injury on an opponent. I tell Triv to go jump in the lake, or to fist himself, or words to that effect. The following week, in the AFC Championship game, Nedney breaks his fuckin' leg!! There is a God.
October 16, 2005: Tommy Fuckin’ Maddox
Post-game, Head Coach Bill Cowher said, “I had thought about making a change at quarterback,….” Hey Bill, what the hell were you waiting for?? Tommy Maddox, subbing for the injured Ben Roethlisberger, was miserable from the outset, and entering the overtime session against the Jacksonville Jagoffs, had thrown a pair of interceptions. When Quincy Morgan took the overtime kickoff back to the Jax 25 though, it looked as though the Steelers would survive this afternoon of quarterbacking inadequacy. But after a botched running play, and a lost fumble by Maddox on a 3rd down sack, the Steelers had forfeited their opportunity to put a quick end to the Jaguars. It got worse!! After a three-and-out, Maddox returned to the field and promptly threw a pick-six to Rashean Mathis. The Steelers were defeated. Boos cascaded down from the Heinz Field crowd, and Maddox’s wife would later report, albeit falsely, that trash cascaded down upon her lawn. In my New Hampshire abode, where I was entertaining a guest for the first time, a fellow Steeler fan, my hammer cascaded down upon the VHS tape upon which I was recording the game, smashing the item to smithereens, my having hit the eject button just as Mathis was crossing the goal line.. As my family screamed their familiar protests at me to stop, my guest allowed as to how he might have the same reaction in his home.
I might not have thrown trash on Maddox’s lawn after that game, but had he been standing atop the Smithfield Street Bridge, I damn well may have given him a push.
January 15, 2006: The Fumble/The Tackle
The only Steeler win in this series, the details are indelible in Steeler Nation lore. Steelers led the heavily-favored Colts 21-18 in the Hoosier Dome, and had sacked Peyton Manning twice more for a total of five on the afternoon. The final sack, by Joey Porter, gave the Steelers possession on the Indianapolis two-yard line with under two minutes remaining, prompting the Steelers radio team to urge fans to book their travel for an AFC Championship Game showdown in Denver. Simply punching the ball into the end zone seemed a mere formality to wrap up the victory, but on first down Jerome Bettis had the ball knocked loosed by Gary Brackett, and it was scooped up, fortuitously by Colts defensive back, Nick Harper, who been stabbed in his leg by his wife on the eve of the game during a domestic squabble. The Bus, and Steeler fans everywhere, owe thanks to Mrs. Harper, and also to Ben Roethlisberger, who had sense enough to give ground as soon as he saw the ball on the turf. There wasn’t much speed on the field for the Steelers as the heavy package was in the game for the obvious running plays, but Ben made the miraculous Tackle around midfield. Shortly thereafter, Mike Vanderjagt badly missed an attempt at a tying field goal, and the radio crew gave the go ahead to Steeler Nation to book their travel to Mile High.
Had Ben Roethlisberger not made The Tackle, The Fumble would have been Buckneresque, and this article would have focused singularly on the the most maddening play in Steeler history. Jerome Bettis would not be the proprietor of Grill 36 on Pittsburgh’s North Side, but would be running Butterfingers Café in Ypsilanti. Of course, had Jerome Bettis not fumbled, Pittsburgher Terry O’Neill would likely have not suffered a heart attack at Chupka’s Tavern on the South Side. In this case of most maddening however, all’s well that ended well.
January 5, 2008: 3rd & Fuckin’ 6
The final chapter in this series and the inspiration for this writer’s self-published work, We’re From the Town with the Great Football Team: A Pittsburgh Steelers Manifesto, the Steelers Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars still produces teeth-gnashing when aired on “Memorable Games” segments.
After throwing three first-half interceptions, Ben Roethlisberger was on fire in the second half, leading his team back from an 18-point deficit while throwing a pair of scoring passes. Holding a 1-point lead and facing 3rd & 6 from their own 26 yard line, having a running game that had produced 45 total yards on the night, it seemed obvious that the ball would be placed in #7’s hands. It was; sort of. But rather than throw, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians called for a quarterback sweep by Roethlisberger, who was suffering from a gimpy ankle. Left tackle Trai Essex, subbing for Marvel Smith, wiffed on his block, the play gained a single yard, the punt was shanked, Jacksonville converted a 4th & 2, while holding no less than three Steelers, and the Jaguars had their second Heinz Field victory in consecutive months.
What’s that? Not a dozen plays, but fourteen? I know, but who’s counting.
Click here to comment on this article.
By Swissvale72
Most maddening generally means that the Steelers lost the game, or else the play wouldn't be all that maddening, yes? True, with one very notable exception. That exception wreaked havoc even among the fandom of the winning eleven.
Most maddening generally means that the game was of high import, or else the play wouldn't be all that maddening, yes? True...but not always. Sometimes it was the reaction of this writer to the play that places it in this piece as most maddening.
December 31, 1972: Larry Fuckin' Seiple
A week after defeating the Oakland Raiders via the Immaculate Reception for their first ever playoff win, the Steelers faced the undefeated Dolphins at Three Rivers Stadium, a Super Bowl berth at stake. Throughout the week, the expectation was that "Steeler Weather" on New Year's Eve would assist the Black & Gold. The day dawned Florida-like in Pittsburgh, and the game was played in balmy conditions.
The Steelers took an early 7-0 lead, but lost Terry Bradshaw on the play until late in the game. Facing 4th down in the neighborhood of midfield in the 2nd quarter, I watched from my perch in the South End Zone as the Steelers punt return team peeled off for a left return toward that South End Zone. Using the Steeler defenders as a phalanx of blockers, punter Larry Seiple took off running and didn't stop until he was well within the Steelers red zone. Larry Csonka then scored on a 9-yard pass from former Steeler Earl Morrall. Jim Kiick ran for a pair of 2nd half touchdowns behind the blocking of Larry Little (what's with all these fuckin' Larrys??) and the Dolphins, behind the returning Bob Griese, were Super Bowl bound, finishing the season with a perfect mark of 17-0.
Later that night, Penn State lost to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, 14-0. Then, worst of all, Roberto Clemente's plane went down while enroute to Nicaragua on a mission of mercy. Happy Fuckin' New Year.
October 10, 1976: Turkey Fuckin' Jones
The two-time Super Bowl champion Steelers were off to an auspicious start, having lost 3 games out of their first four when they traveled to Cleveland's cavernous Municipal Stadium. Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd when asked to comment on the wind coming off of Lake Erie in that venue said, "That's what you get when you build a stadium beside the ocean." I traveled to the game and gained admission via an extra ticket that my then 30-year-old brother Tony was holding. Being a recent college graduate, the deal I agreed to was that I would drove Tony and his four friends to Cleveland in my lime-green Plymouth in exchange for a game ticket.
The Steelers struggled throughout, and in the 3rd quarter, Browns lineman Joe "Turkey" Jones broke free as Terry Bradshaw was back to pass. Jones grabbed Bradshaw, lifted him and spiked him headfirst in the Municipal Stadium turf. The spasming Bradshaw was replaced by Boston College rookie Mike Kruczek, and the Steelers lost their fourth game of the young season. They would lose no more until the AFC Championship Game as Kruczek, despite not throwing a touchdown pass at any point in his career, led the Steelers during Bradshaw's absence.
January 9, 1983: Bradshaw's Bonehead Pass
The Steelers finished the strike-shortened 1982 season with a 6-3 mark, and opened the AFC tourney, a playoff format expanded to eight teams per conference, at home against the Air Coryell version of the San Diego Chargers. The Steelers led the Bolts, 28-17, in the final frame and faced a 3rd down in their own territory. Terry Bradshaw, scrambling, had plenty of open space in front of him and could have easily gained a first down, but instead, the Blonde Bomber tossed one up for grabs, it was intercepted and soon thereafter, the Chargers were in the end zone, assisted by a pass interference call on Jack Ham on a 4th down play. The Steelers then punted, and soon Dan Fouts was throwing to Kellen Winslow for the winning touchdown.
January 7, 1990: Mark Fuckin' Stock
After winning their final three regular season games, and gaining significant help form the kindness of strangers during the season's final weeks, the Steelers grabbed the final playoff spot, and quickly dispatched of the favored Oilers in Houston during an epic overtime struggle. The following week, they were double-digit underdogs to the Denver Broncos at Mile High. The Steelers twice held 10-point leads in the contest, but a late Denver touchdown, on a long John Elway drive, left the Steelers trailing by a single point in the game's final minutes. Taking possession deep in their own territory, quarterback Bubby Brister hit VMI rookie Mark Stock in stride around midfield, close to winning field goal range. But alas, the ball clanged off of Stock's chest and fell harmlessly to earth. Brister fumbled on the next play and the Broncos recovered to seal the victory. Mark Stock never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 15, 1995: Tim Fuckin' McKyer
This time it was the Steelers who were installed as double-digits favorites, but it was once again, a warm January afternoon in Pittsburgh. Having led throughout, the Steelers clung to a 13-10 lead with San Diego facing a 3rd & 13 at the Steelers 37-yard line with less than five minutes remaining. Surely, the Chargers would opt for a short pass, placing them in position for the tying field goal. However, Stan Humphries threw deep, and a conversion seemed impossible. But reserve veteran defensive back Tim McKyer had permitted Tony Martin to access the inside and Martin hauled in the go-ahead touchdown. The Steelers drove to the San Diego 3-yard line in the final seconds, but a fourth-down pass for the game-winner was batted down, courtesy of Dennis Fuckin' Gibson!! McKyer was disconsolate, and was carried off the field of battle, an arm around respective teammates. Tim McKyer never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 28, 1996: Neil O'Fuckin' Donnell
After besting the Indianapolis Colts in an epic AFC title game, the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl, their first appearance in 16 years, having been established as double-digit underdogs to the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers trailed throughout, but took possession on their own 33-yard line, down 20-17, four minutes remaining. A first down pass was dropped by Andre Hastings, who checked the replay image on the Jumbotron as he returned to the huddle. On 2nd down, in response to a blitz, quarterback Neil O'Donnell threw an out, but Hastings had turned in, and the ball went into the hands of Cowboys defensive back Larry Brown, making his 2nd pick of the night on a ball eerily reminiscent of this first interception. In this, the first full season of NFL Sunday Ticket, this writer had not missed a play all year. I saw Neil O'Donnell never throw a ball like that...and then he throws two in one half of football. Neil O'Donnell never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 11, 1998: Chan Fuckin’ Gailey
The Steelers, behind the exciting but erratic play of quarterback Kordell Stewart, were once again in the AFC Championship game, having won three overtime contests in the regular season.
Stewart had narrowly averted disaster early in the contest, having thrown twice into double coverage but avoiding interception. Stewart had run 33 yards for one touchdown, and on the strength of a Jerome Bettis touchdown run, the Steelers lead 14-10 and faced a 2nd down & 1 on the Denver 35-yard line, with four minutes to go in the first half. Given Stewart’s tenuousness, and Bettis building toward a hundred-yard rushing day, common sense dictated a handoff to Bettis, a first down conversion, more eating of the clock, and a lead of at least seven, but perhaps eleven points at halftime. Additionally, on the Denver sideline stood none other than John Elway, and keeping the ball out of his hands was certainly a priority.
All that aside, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey called for a pass. Stewart threw long into double coverage, luck would not be on his side this time, and the pass was intercepted. Within the next two minutes, Denver was in the end zone. The Steelers were unable to move the ball, and just prior to half, Denver was in the end zone again. The 14-10 lead was now a 24-14 deficit. Denver won, 24-21 and was off to its first of two straight Super Bowl titles. Chan Gailey was hired as Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys the following month.
November 26, 1998: Heads; I mean Tails
This one's not really a play, but deserves a mention in Steelers lore. The Steelers battle back to force overtime in Motown on Turkey Day. On the coin flip, homie Jerome Bettis apparently changes his mind mid-flip, but referee Phil (Hard) Luckett goes with the first thing he hears, and awards the ball to the Lions. Steelers appear to have gotten off the field on 3rd down, but a roughing call extends the Lions’ drive. Future Steelers Charlie Batch leads his team to the game-winning field goal. The loss is the first of five straight for the Steelers to end the season. The fiasco results in the coin flip no longer being called in the air, but rather prior to the flip. The Bus's next trip to his hometown is for Super Bowl XL seven years later, his final game.
January 27, 2002: Troy Fuckin' Edwards
Double-digit favorites in the AFC Championship Game on an unseasonably warm January afternoon, the Steelers are locked in a scoreless first quarter when Josh Miller booms a punt from deep in his own territory, moving his team out of danger. Not so fast though. Prior to the game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, known for film study, has alerted the officials of the propensity of Steeler Troy Edwards to run out of bounds, then illegally back in while covering punts. Edwards own coach, Bill Cowher, either hasn't noticed this nasty habit of his player or has chosen to ignore it. Sure enough, Edwards is flagged this time for illegal touching of the ball. Prior to the re-kick, the punter Miller is pre-occupied with the placement of the ball on the hash versus the middle of the field, or the middle versus the hash. In any event, his mind wasn't on kicking the ball, and he subsequently gets off a wobbler. First man down John Fiala misses the tackle on Patriots' Troy Brown. Brown takes the kick 55 yards into the end zone for the game's first score, keying an upset victory, robbing the Steelers of a Super Bowl trip. Troy Edwards never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 27, 2002: Troy Fuckin' Brown
Two plays in the same game? You decide. Down 14-3 at the half of the AFC Championship Game, the Steelers initial drive of the 2nd half stalls in the Red Zone, and Kris Brown comes on to attempt a 34-yarder , which would narrow the deficit to one score. His kick is blocked, however, and scooped up by...Troy Brown! Brown eventually laterals the ball (illegally) to teammate Antwan Harris at midfield, who takes it the rest of the way for a 21-3 Patriots lead. What’s Troy Brown doing on the field goal block team, inquiring minds want to know? In Pittsburgh, Coach Cowher disdained the practice of playing his regulars on special teams. Kris Brown, though he's still missing big kicks in Houston, never again wore a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.
January 11, 2003: Joe Fuckin' Nedney
Steelers are in overtime in Nashville against the favored Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Thanks to a missed tackle by Dewayne Washington on Justin McCareins, the Titans move quickly into field goal range. Kicker Joe Nedney though, misses a 31-yarder! The Steelers have life! Not so fast. Washington, destined to be the goat, has grazed the leg of Nedney, whose acting job rivals that of any World Cup soccer player, and he goes down as if he's been shot. Flags fly, and after the penalty is assessed, Nedney boots a 26-yarder, ending the Steelers' season.
Seething, I post on Stillers.com my usual refrain, that being that I hope that "Nedney breaks his fuckin' leg." Still Trivia, later-in life to be Fury, the proprietor of the site known as "The Assclowns from Across the Street" admonishes me for wishing injury on an opponent. I tell Triv to go jump in the lake, or to fist himself, or words to that effect. The following week, in the AFC Championship game, Nedney breaks his fuckin' leg!! There is a God.
October 16, 2005: Tommy Fuckin’ Maddox
Post-game, Head Coach Bill Cowher said, “I had thought about making a change at quarterback,….” Hey Bill, what the hell were you waiting for?? Tommy Maddox, subbing for the injured Ben Roethlisberger, was miserable from the outset, and entering the overtime session against the Jacksonville Jagoffs, had thrown a pair of interceptions. When Quincy Morgan took the overtime kickoff back to the Jax 25 though, it looked as though the Steelers would survive this afternoon of quarterbacking inadequacy. But after a botched running play, and a lost fumble by Maddox on a 3rd down sack, the Steelers had forfeited their opportunity to put a quick end to the Jaguars. It got worse!! After a three-and-out, Maddox returned to the field and promptly threw a pick-six to Rashean Mathis. The Steelers were defeated. Boos cascaded down from the Heinz Field crowd, and Maddox’s wife would later report, albeit falsely, that trash cascaded down upon her lawn. In my New Hampshire abode, where I was entertaining a guest for the first time, a fellow Steeler fan, my hammer cascaded down upon the VHS tape upon which I was recording the game, smashing the item to smithereens, my having hit the eject button just as Mathis was crossing the goal line.. As my family screamed their familiar protests at me to stop, my guest allowed as to how he might have the same reaction in his home.
I might not have thrown trash on Maddox’s lawn after that game, but had he been standing atop the Smithfield Street Bridge, I damn well may have given him a push.
January 15, 2006: The Fumble/The Tackle
The only Steeler win in this series, the details are indelible in Steeler Nation lore. Steelers led the heavily-favored Colts 21-18 in the Hoosier Dome, and had sacked Peyton Manning twice more for a total of five on the afternoon. The final sack, by Joey Porter, gave the Steelers possession on the Indianapolis two-yard line with under two minutes remaining, prompting the Steelers radio team to urge fans to book their travel for an AFC Championship Game showdown in Denver. Simply punching the ball into the end zone seemed a mere formality to wrap up the victory, but on first down Jerome Bettis had the ball knocked loosed by Gary Brackett, and it was scooped up, fortuitously by Colts defensive back, Nick Harper, who been stabbed in his leg by his wife on the eve of the game during a domestic squabble. The Bus, and Steeler fans everywhere, owe thanks to Mrs. Harper, and also to Ben Roethlisberger, who had sense enough to give ground as soon as he saw the ball on the turf. There wasn’t much speed on the field for the Steelers as the heavy package was in the game for the obvious running plays, but Ben made the miraculous Tackle around midfield. Shortly thereafter, Mike Vanderjagt badly missed an attempt at a tying field goal, and the radio crew gave the go ahead to Steeler Nation to book their travel to Mile High.
Had Ben Roethlisberger not made The Tackle, The Fumble would have been Buckneresque, and this article would have focused singularly on the the most maddening play in Steeler history. Jerome Bettis would not be the proprietor of Grill 36 on Pittsburgh’s North Side, but would be running Butterfingers Café in Ypsilanti. Of course, had Jerome Bettis not fumbled, Pittsburgher Terry O’Neill would likely have not suffered a heart attack at Chupka’s Tavern on the South Side. In this case of most maddening however, all’s well that ended well.
January 5, 2008: 3rd & Fuckin’ 6
The final chapter in this series and the inspiration for this writer’s self-published work, We’re From the Town with the Great Football Team: A Pittsburgh Steelers Manifesto, the Steelers Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars still produces teeth-gnashing when aired on “Memorable Games” segments.
After throwing three first-half interceptions, Ben Roethlisberger was on fire in the second half, leading his team back from an 18-point deficit while throwing a pair of scoring passes. Holding a 1-point lead and facing 3rd & 6 from their own 26 yard line, having a running game that had produced 45 total yards on the night, it seemed obvious that the ball would be placed in #7’s hands. It was; sort of. But rather than throw, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians called for a quarterback sweep by Roethlisberger, who was suffering from a gimpy ankle. Left tackle Trai Essex, subbing for Marvel Smith, wiffed on his block, the play gained a single yard, the punt was shanked, Jacksonville converted a 4th & 2, while holding no less than three Steelers, and the Jaguars had their second Heinz Field victory in consecutive months.
What’s that? Not a dozen plays, but fourteen? I know, but who’s counting.
Click here to comment on this article.
