Steelers Throwback Thursday: Bus outruns Bears in snow
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.
This week, we have been reminiscing about some of the fan-favorite members of the Pittsburgh Steelers in franchise history and, after running a piece on jersey numbers – as well as a recent podcast on top jerseys to own – we traveled back in time to a memorable game. On a snowy Week 14 during the 2005 NFL regular season, Pittsburgh pulled out a December football victory when “The Bus” was able to outrun the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field.
It wasn’t Jerome Bettis, the starter, that season. In fact, “Fast” Willie Parker was the go-to running back who started the game in the offensive backfield with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Parker, a quick-cut, agile runner was well suited for the game when it kicked off, but that December 11 game would see the weather turn. Snow began to fall, the turf got worse, and before either team was prepared, visibility was nearly null.
Bettis, who was used to back up Parker that season, was asked to step up.
“My role is to come in and spell Willie, but this game set up for me in terms of the conditions and the field. I’ve always been known as a mudder and the field really played into my favor in terms of being able to run the ball.” – Jerome Bettis following the game
The field was a mix of slop and half-frozen mud with different layers of snow as the clouds opened up and fans strained to see plays from their seats through wind-driven snowflakes.
At halftime, the Steelers were ahead, 14-3, thanks to a Roethlisberger-to-Hines Ward touchdown pass-and-catch and a blast of a yard from Bettis on another drive.
During the third quarter, Bettis kept barreling through the Bears defense. On Bettis’ second touchdown run of the game, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher was leveled. Bettis put his head down and kept blasting forward.
“I knew it was (Urlacher),” Bettis told the media at the time. “I was able to bang off of him and use his leverage against him. I knew it was going to be a big hit. I just tried to play off of it and keep those legs churning. He didn’t let go, but I’ve made a living off of carrying people – that’s why they call me The Bus.”
“Enough can’t be said about Jerome Bettis. He epitomizes what the Steelers are all about. People think he’s down and out and he comes out and has a game like he had.” – Hines Ward
Pittsburgh’s defense remained on track as well. They didn’t allow a touchdown until the final quarter of the game. The PAT by kicker Robbie Gould was a miss, even though Gould hit a field goal early in the game.
Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton was sacked three times (Clark Haggans, Joey Porter, and Kimo von Oelhoffen earned 1.0 sacks each).
The Steelers exited the field steaming from sweat and exertion in challenging weather conditions with a 21-9 victory that propelled them toward a seven-game win streak that finalized the regular season and was capped off by a Super Bowl XL championship.
