Steelers Throwback Thursday: Top 5 iconic moments
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.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a storied franchise in the National Football League, so it goes without saying that there are plenty of historical events fans could choose from when deciding what moment was iconic. This week we look at five such moments that have remained at the top of the list for decades.
The “Immaculate Reception”
The years have long passed since the play that became known as the “Immaculate Reception” occurred, yet it remains at the top of the list for nearly the entire fan base known as Steelers Nation. It is memorialized in the city of Pittsburgh with marble, brass, and even two footprints where the play originally occurred. It became a shrine following the passing of famed running back Franco Harris, the man who grabbed a deflected football out of the air on December 23, 1972, during a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders.
Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, with only seconds remaining in the game, threw a pass that deflected – off of whom will long be debated – into the arms of Harris who scored a touchdown, securing a 13-7 victory for the Steelers. This play is regarded as the number one play in NFL history according to PlayPennsylvania in their article: “Pittsburgh vs. Philly: A Guide To The Battle Of Pennsylvania In The NHL, NFL, And MLB.”
#Steelers fans, which of the following is more iconic in franchise history in your opinion?
— Christina Rivers (@3Rivers_Writer) July 10, 2024
Myron Cope‘s “Terrible Towel” & its tradition
Cope, on his own, is a sports icon. In 1970, Cope joined the Steelers’ broadcast team from his former posting doing daily sports commentary on WTAE-AM radio in Pittsburgh. Best known for his unique humor, “yinzer” voice, and many colloquialisms (“okel dokel” and “yoi” and “double yoi!” were but a few), Cope spent 35 years as “the voice” of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In 1975, Cope imagined, and encouraged, the home crowd to grab golden-colored towels and use them to cheer on the Steelers. Cope later help conceive of and promote the official “Terrible Towel” that became a symbolic artifact for the Steelers faithful. That artifact carried with it a storied curse for opponents that disrespected the towel, and does to this day.
Before home games, the tradition of the “Terrible Towel wave” has continued to grow and include former members of the organization, players, celebrities, and even honored fans and members of the armed forces. The towel became synonymous with the unity and fervor of Steelers fans worldwide and a cultural staple.
The “Steel Curtain” defense
There have been nicknames given to individual players (like “The Bus” for Jerome Bettis) and groups of players (“The Killer Bees”) in Pittsburgh, but no group has earned the level of dominance or been as revered quite like the Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense of the 1970s. Key players include Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, and L.C. Greenwood. That’s not to downplay teammates who also stood side-by-side with those men on the Pittsburgh gridiron.
That defense imposed its will on many an opponent, and played a pivotal role in the Steelers winning four Super Bowl championships during the era. The defensive unit’s formidable gameplay remains a benchmark for defensive excellence in NFL football to this day despite the many changes the game has evolved through.
The 1974 Steelers draft class
The Steelers had exceptional NFL Draft in 1974. That year, Pittsburgh selected four players that would ultimately land in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and included Lynn Swann (known for the “Kangaroo Catch” and “Levitating Leap” acrobatic plays in Super Bowl X), John Stallworth, Jack Lambert, and Mike Webster. This draft class laid a strong foundation for the team’s success in the 1970s. The selection of these players showcased the Steelers’ ability to identify and secure top-tier talent, which contributed significantly to their championship runs.
Six Rings
The Steelers were the first NFL team to grab six Super Bowl championships, and earn the famed winning rings. Their first win was against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IX (January, 1975). The Steelers defense held the Vikings to just nine first downs and 119 yards of offense. The Steelers emerged victorious with a 16-6 score, marking their initial step towards securing six titles.
All total, the Steelers have played in eight NFL Super Bowl games. Of the six championships they won, they won four titles in just six years.
The Steelers won Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, XIV, XL, and XLIII.
