By Darin The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, defined by six Super Bowl championships, legendary defense, and an unmatched tradition of toughness. But behind the banners are specific, electrifying plays—moments of pure athletic brilliance or impossible luck—that fundamentally altered the course of the franchise.
Your host is unapologetic that I am a very spoiled Steelers fan, as I was alive to enjoy watching (at least on TV) these plays.
These are the plays that defined decades and sealed championships, ensuring that Steelers football remains synonymous with clutch performance.
1. The Immaculate Reception (1972)
Every conversation about Steelers history begins here. On December 23, 1972, during the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Oakland Raiders, the Steelers trailed 7-6 with 22 seconds left. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched a desperate pass that ricocheted off Raiders safety Jack Tatum and possibly intended receiver Frenchy Fuqua. Rookie Franco Harris emerged from the chaos, scooping the ball just above the turf and sprinting for the winning touchdown.
Idk if it was the Immaculate Reception wild, but it is pretty damn close.pic.twitter.com/q5UnPXFoAe
— David (@DavidNeiszPHL) December 19, 2025
The play remains the most famous—and controversial—in NFL history. It was the Steelers’ first-ever playoff win, serving as the cultural and emotional catalyst for the team’s shift from perennial losers to the dynasty of the 1970s. Without the Immaculate Reception, the Steel Curtain as we know it might never have risen.
2. Lynn Swann‘s Aerial Ballet in Super Bowl X (1976)
In the Super Bowl era, few moments define athletic excellence and high-stakes performance like Lynn Swann’s effort in Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys. Swann, already recognized for his acrobatic receiving skills, delivered two iconic, game-changing catches.
Terry Bradshaw to Lynn Swann in Super Bowl X
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 18, 2025
4 connections
161 yards
1 touchdown
January 18, 1976#HereWeGo #Steelers pic.twitter.com/yztsM55y6y
The most famous was a seemingly impossible grab where he dove, fully extended, to snare a 64-yard bomb from Terry Bradshaw despite being sandwiched between two defenders. Later, Swann secured a 59-yard game-sealing touchdown pass. His spectacular performance earned him the Super Bowl MVP award and secured the Steelers’ second consecutive championship.
3. Harrison’s 100-Yard Dash (Super Bowl XLIII, 2009)
The game-defining moment of Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals came not from the offense, but from Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. With the Cardinals threatening to score before halftime, Harrison intercepted Kurt Warner‘s short pass at the goal line. What followed was a breathtaking 100-yard sprint down the sideline, weaving through traffic and narrowly diving into the end zone as time expired.
Harrison 🤝 Holmes
— Steelers History (@SteelersHistory) February 1, 2025
Super Bowl XLIII – Feb. 1, 2009
🎥 https://t.co/NrdiYQkuZ9 pic.twitter.com/TyatfBl43o
The defensive touchdown gave the Steelers a shocking 17-7 lead. Though the Cardinals mounted a comeback, this play is universally regarded as the greatest defensive moment in Super Bowl history, proving that even in the modern era, defense still wins championships.
4. Santonio Holmes’ Toe-Tap Touchdown (Super Bowl XLIII, 2009)
In the same game that Harrison delivered his heroics, wide receiver Santonio Holmes provided the unforgettable finish. After the Cardinals took the lead late in the fourth quarter, Ben Roethlisberger led a signature drive. With 42 seconds left, Roethlisberger fired a pass into the corner of the end zone.
SUPER BOWL XLIII
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 1, 2025
February 1, 2009
Big Ben to Santonio
Ben Roethlisberger hits Santonio Holmes for the last-minute game-winner to secure the #Steelers' sixth ring.#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/9k8xlT8oPm
Holmes executed an extraordinary catch, securing the ball with his fingertips while dragging his toes in bounds, clinging to the turf by an inch. The six-yard touchdown sealed the 27-23 victory and the franchise’s record-setting sixth Lombardi Trophy. The play showcased incredible skill, composure, and the legendary will to win that defines the Steelers.
5. Kenny Gainwell’s Will to catch
A big mid-December game for the black and gold in 2025 had the team facing the formidable Detroit Lions. It was a game most experts predicted the Lions would win, but the Steelers Kenny Gainwell had a play that turned the tide for Pittsburgh just before halftime. It was one of the more remarkable catches you may ever see.
KENNETH GAINWELL WITH ONE OF THE BEST PLAYS YOU WILL EVER SEE.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 21, 2025
😳😳😳
THIS CATCH IS REMARKABLE. OH MY GOODNESS.
pic.twitter.com/wjOZkIGpUi
6. Christmas Miracle: The Immaculate Extension
When the schedulers pit the Steelers and the Ravens against each other late in the season, it usually affects the playoff race and turns into a barnburner. Christmas Day 2016 came right down to the last seconds as Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger led his team down the field in a drive that culminated in one of the most remarkable efforts to score ever by Antonio Brown. The shifty WR used every ounce in his body to get the ball past a couple of much larger, bruising Ravens defenders to seal victory for Steel Town.
Never forget:
— AB (@AB84) December 25, 2024
The Immaculate Extension
Christmas Day 2016.
Ravens vs Steelers. A short pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown would win the Steelers the division #CTESPN pic.twitter.com/fh1o9SS0J8
7. An Untimely Fumble and More Unlikely Season Saving Tackle
The 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Peyton Manning-led Colts went the Steelers’ way for much of the game. The underdog Steelers had a superb defensive plan devised by Dick LeBeau that gave Indy’s number 19 fits all day. The Steelers looked to ice the game with their running game and the usually sure-handed Jerome Bettis. The play made the most unlikely of defensive heroes.
This play still haunts me as a @Colts fan even twenty years later. Everyone had left the room and I was the only one watching. I screamed “fumble!” and everyone came back into the room yelling “what!” We all know what happens 😂 #Colts #ForTheShoe #ColtsNation pic.twitter.com/FpeY52vVxt
— Ayden Jent PLY (@Ajent20) January 9, 2025
8. Polomalu’s Pick Six to end the game
Troy Polamalu was a human highlight reel. Never was this more the case as in the 2008 AFC Playoff game against the rival Ravens. With little time left, the Steelers were up by two, but Baltimore had momentum until this play.
Troy Polamalu's 40 yard pick six against the Ravens in the 2008 AFC Championship is one the greatest plays in Steelers franchise history. James Harrison doesn't get enough credit for pressuring Joe Flacco on this play. pic.twitter.com/Mdk45JuPm0
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) January 19, 2023
9. Polomalu Superman Sack
In the days before the tush-push, the QB sneak and A-gap dives were extremely effective short-yardage plays, especially near the goal line. The Tennessee Titans were poised to run such a play once, but forgot to take care of tacklers from above.
Troy Polamalu was just built different 😤pic.twitter.com/2fg57jEWV3
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 25, 2024
10. Joe Greene INT
Mean Joe Greene was known for playing defense by turturing opposing QBs with bone-crushing tackles and hits, but who knew he had soft hands and running skills until this play against the Bengals.
50 years ago today….
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) November 18, 2024
Joe Greene’s 1st career INT
He also adds a fumble recovery.
Greene will intercept one more pass in his career and it would be later that season in SBIX.
I replaced the NFL Films narration with the call of Jack Fleming & Myron Cope. pic.twitter.com/nadMIfq1Xz
The Enduring Legacy
These plays are more than just highlights; they are touchstones of the Steelers’ identity. They represent clutch performance under extreme pressure, whether in the nascent years of the franchise with the Immaculate Reception or in the late-game drama of the modern Super Bowl era. For the Steelers faithful, these are the moments that truly make the Iron City’s football history gold.
