PLAYERS FROM ALABAMA IN THE SUPER BOWL | SUPER BOWL PERFORMANCES | TRACKING TICKET PRICES | SUPER BOWL CHAMPS FROM ALABAMA | ALABAMA’S EARLY SUPER BOWL MVPSFormer Washington Redskins fullback John Riggins’ breakaway touchdown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XVII has gone down in history as one of the Big Game’s most memorable moments.It’s unlikely that anyone remembers it better than University of Alabama alumnus Don McNeal.An Atmore native and football star at Escambia County High School, McNeal played for the Crimson Tide’s 1978 and 1979 national championship teams under head coach Paul Bear Bryant. During the ’79 championship run, McNeal would cement his name as an Alabama legend when he chased down Penn State receiver Scott Fitzkee and forced him out at the 1-yard line to help secure a 14-7 win in the Sugar Bowl.McNeal left Tuscaloosa the next year for Miami when he was picked up by the Dolphins, setting him on a collision course with John Riggins and Super Bowl History.It was January 30, 1983. Miami led 17 to 13 in the fourth quarter, and the then-Redskins had the ball on fourth and one at the Dolphins’ 43-yard line. Riggins took the handoff, and McNeal grabbed hold of his jersey. It wouldn’t be enough to stop what would later be voted as the Redskins official “Greatest Moment of all time.”Riggins broke free, charging 43 yards to the endzone to set up a 27-17 win over the Dolphins. The moment stuck with McNeal so much that he hung up the iconic image at his house.”I got the picture and stuff on my wall at home, but I really don’t dwell on it,” said McNeal in the archival footage from Super Bowl XIX above. “It’s just something that happened, and I hate it happening. But I’m glad I was there to, for it to happen to me, you know.”McNeal had hopes of making up for the missed tackle by “intercepting and taking one all the way” when the Dolphins took on the San Francisco 49ers that year.Those hopes never materialized, with the Dolphins losing 16-38, but McNeal’s place in football history was already secured, from saving a championship at the goal line in college to being part of one of the most iconic plays the Super Bowl has ever produced.
Andy Hayt
Football: Super Bowl XVII: Washington Redskins John Riggins (44) in action, rushing for 43-yard touchdown vs Miami Dolphins Don McNeal (28) at Rose Bowl Stadium. Pasadena, CA 1/30/1983Â
PLAYERS FROM ALABAMA IN THE SUPER BOWL | SUPER BOWL PERFORMANCES | TRACKING TICKET PRICES | SUPER BOWL CHAMPS FROM ALABAMA | ALABAMA’S EARLY SUPER BOWL MVPS
Former Washington Redskins fullback John Riggins’ breakaway touchdown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XVII has gone down in history as one of the Big Game’s most memorable moments.
It’s unlikely that anyone remembers it better than University of Alabama alumnus Don McNeal.
An Atmore native and football star at Escambia County High School, McNeal played for the Crimson Tide’s 1978 and 1979 national championship teams under head coach Paul Bear Bryant.
During the ’79 championship run, McNeal would cement his name as an Alabama legend when he chased down Penn State receiver Scott Fitzkee and forced him out at the 1-yard line to help secure a 14-7 win in the Sugar Bowl.
McNeal left Tuscaloosa the next year for Miami when he was picked up by the Dolphins, setting him on a collision course with John Riggins and Super Bowl History.
It was January 30, 1983. Miami led 17 to 13 in the fourth quarter, and the then-Redskins had the ball on fourth and one at the Dolphins’ 43-yard line.
Riggins took the handoff, and McNeal grabbed hold of his jersey. It wouldn’t be enough to stop what would later be voted as the Redskins official “Greatest Moment of all time.”
Riggins broke free, charging 43 yards to the endzone to set up a 27-17 win over the Dolphins. The moment stuck with McNeal so much that he hung up the iconic image at his house.
“I got the picture and stuff on my wall at home, but I really don’t dwell on it,” said McNeal in the archival footage from Super Bowl XIX above. “It’s just something that happened, and I hate it happening. But I’m glad I was there to, for it to happen to me, you know.”
McNeal had hopes of making up for the missed tackle by “intercepting [Joe Montana] and taking one all the way” when the Dolphins took on the San Francisco 49ers that year.
Those hopes never materialized, with the Dolphins losing 16-38, but McNeal’s place in football history was already secured, from saving a championship at the goal line in college to being part of one of the most iconic plays the Super Bowl has ever produced.