The Immaculate Reception is, was and always will be the most storied play in the history of pro football's most storied franchise.
But now we know the identity of the second and third most famous plays in Pittsburgh Steelers history, although we may be debating the order for years to come.
Both took place on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII, which will rank among the best of the 43 National Football League championship games. Pittsburgh's 27-23 victory wasn't decided until the final minute. It was a roller-coaster ride not only for fans of the Steelers, but also for those of the Arizona Cardinals, who gave us quite a show.
First up was the 100-yard interception return by Steelers linebacker James Harrison to end the first half.
For Pittsburgh, it was game-changing. For Arizona, it appeared to be game-breaking.
When the Cardinals fell behind 10-0 and the Steelers were moving the ball virtually at will, I was feeling sorry for those who bought a $3 million commercial for the second half, for it appeared this one was going to be decided very early.
Pittsburgh had run 19 of the first 24 plays. It had gained 145 yards to just 13 for Arizona. If had held the ball for 12 minutes and 27 seconds compared to just 3:32 for the seemingly outclassed Cardinals.
But Arizona didn't panic. It got back into the game with an impressive 83-yard touchdown drive, then stunningly had a chance to either tie the game or take the halftime lead on an interception at the Steelers 34 at the two-minute warning.
The Cardinals were primed to go ahead 14-10, or at the very least head into the locker room with a 10-10 tie, all the momentum, and knowing they would get the ball to start the second half.
Instead, Harrison intercepted a Kurt Warner pass on the goal line and didn't stop running until he -barely -reached the other goal line. He had no choice. The clock had run out on his way downfield. He either scored a touchdown or it was halftime. When replay confirmed his touchdown, it was 17-7 Steelers and it appeared Vince Lombardi Trophy No. 6 was on its way to Pittsburgh.
Who would have thought at the time the Steelers were going to need even more heroics in the final minute of the game?
After dominating the third quarter and holding a 20-7 lead when Arizona got the ball with just 11:30 left to play, Pittsburgh was ready to celebrate.
Arizona had other ideas. Two Cardinal touchdowns with a safety sandwiched in between and the Steelers looked like a knocked out fighter who never saw the punch coming. When Larry Fitzgerald scored on a 64-yard pass with 2:37 to play, Arizona was ahead 23-20 and the Steelers had to be stunned.
But these are, after all, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who always seem to find a way, especially on football's biggest stage.
This time, it was a 6-yard TD pass from Ben Roethlisberger to a triple-teamed Santonio Holmes in the corner of the end zone.
Whether Holmes' catch or Harrison's interception was bigger, Steeler fans don't really care.
They're too busy counting those six championships.
Contact Dave Poe at dpoe@newsandsentinel.com
