Steelers top 30 moments in franchise history
By Kim Myers
Fast Willie
Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines as the Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers picked up Willie Parker as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina in 2004. His rookie season he served as a backup behind Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley and Verron Haynes. The next season Parker earned the starting job after Bettis and Staley missed some time with injuries.
After starting off the season with back-to-back 100+ rushing yard performances Steelers coach Bill Cowher gave Parker the nickname of “Fast Willie”. Parker would finish the 2005 regular season with 1,202 yards on 255 carries for a 4.7 yards per carry average and four touchdowns.
Steelers fans are sometimes more apt to enjoy the three yards and a cloud of dust style of running but when Fast Willie got going it still brought fans to their feet. The Steelers made it to Super Bowl XL and in the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks, Parker got loose for a 75-yard touchdown run to give the Steelers a 14-3 lead.
The Steelers would go on to win Super Bowl XL 21-10 and the play remains having the record of the longest run play from scrimmage in Super Bowl history as well as one of the greatest moments in Steelers history.
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