Twenty years ago, Jerome Bettis authored one of the defining plays in Pittsburgh Steelers history when he met Brian Urlacher at the goal line and powered straight through him for a touchdown. (He may have stolen his soul in the process.)
In the swirling snow at Heinz Field, Bettis delivered a moment that instantly captured the heart of Steelers Nation. Running over one of the league’s premier linebackers was more than a highlight; it was a declaration of physical dominance and veteran leadership at a critical turning point of the season.
At the time, the Steelers were 7–5 and in danger of falling out of the playoff picture. Bettis’ run became the emotional ignition their season needed. The play symbolized the team’s identity returning to form: tough, punishing, and unapologetically physical. The Steelers rode that renewed energy into a four-game winning streak to finish 11–5 and secure a postseason berth as the AFC’s sixth seed, a position from which few expected a deep run.
Pittsburgh went on to win three consecutive road playoff games; each built on the same toughness and belief embodied in Bettis’ December 11th run. The momentum culminated in a Super Bowl XL victory over Seattle and a storybook finish for Bettis in his hometown of Detroit. Two decades later, that collision with Urlacher remains the moment that turned a desperate season into a championship march.
Happy anniversary, Bus!
3 comments
This reminds me that I need to go ahead and sign up for AARP. Fuck!
I wish I was able to watch him I missed out on that by a year or 2
Can’t believe that was 20 years ago! Hopefully this year ends the same 🤞😂