Steelers top 30 moments in franchise history

Santonio’s catch

Jan 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of Super Bowl XLIII championship ring to commemorate the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on February 1, 2009 on display at the NFL Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sport

While James Harrison’s interception return was certainly the turning point of Super Bowl XLIII for the Steelers, it didn’t technically secure the victory. That was another play. The Steelers were trailing 23-20 after blowing a 20-7 lead with a little over two minutes remaining in the game.

Back up to their own 12-yard line the Steelers offense, led by Ben Roethlisberger, began a drive where he hit

with surgical precision for a couple of first downs on the way down the field. Homes caught a pass and got to the Arizona 6-yard line with 49 seconds left on the clock.

On the next play Roethlisberger pump-faked and threw to Holmes in the corner of the end zone, but the pass went through his hands. The very next play Roethlisberger pump faked again and went to Holmes again in the corner of the end zone but this time Holmes stretched his hands up to grab the ball while tapping his feet down in the end zone before landing out of bounds.

I’ll never forget that moment going instantly from elation to worry while the play was reviewed by officials to determine if Holmes’ feet really did come down in bounds. When the play was officially ruled a touchdown it was pure joy at knowing the Steelers had just done something unprecedented by securing a win for the franchise’s NFL-record sixth Lombardi trophy.

Next: Immaculate Reception