Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl ten, a game
that would go down in history is one of the
most thrilling and dramatic championship matchups in NFL history. This
contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys took
place on January eighteenth, nineteen seventy six, at the Miami
Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. As we delve into the
(00:21):
details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead up,
the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact
of what would become a classic Super Bowl showdown. The
nineteen seventy five NFL season was a year of redemption
for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys. The
Steelers were the defending Super Bowl champions, having won their
(00:44):
first title the previous year. They were looking to prove
that their success was not a fluke and to establish
themselves as a dynasty. The Cowboys, on the other hand,
were seeking to reclaim their place at the top of
the NFL after a few years of playoff disappointments. The Steelers,
led by head coach Chuck Noll, had built a powerhouse
(01:06):
team through shrewd drafting and player development. Their defense, known
as the Steel Curtain, was one of the most dominant
units in NFL history. Led by defensive tackle mean Joe Green,
the Steelers defense was nearly impenetrable. The linebacking corps was
equally impressive, featuring Jack Lambert, a fierce competitor known for
(01:27):
his intensity on the field. On offense, the Steelers were
led by quarterback Terry Bradshaw. While Bradshaw had struggled with
consistency early in his career, he was now coming into
his own as a leader and playmaker. His primary targets
were wide receivers Lynn Swan and John Stalworth, both of
whom were emerging as star players. The Steelers running game
(01:47):
was anchored by Franco Harris, a powerful back who had
rushed for over one thousand yards during the regular season.
Harris was complimented by Rocky Blier, who provided a change
of pace and was an excellent block. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile,
were looking to return to the Super Bowl after a
few years of falling short in the playoffs. Led by
(02:07):
innovative head coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys had earned the
nickname America's Team due to their popularity and success throughout
the nineteen seventies. The Cowboys offense was led by quarterback
Roger Staubach, known for his ability to scramble and make
plays under pressure. Staubach's favorite target was Drew Pearson, a
(02:28):
sure handed receiver who had a knack for making big
plays in crucial moments. The Cowboys also had a strong
running game, featuring fullback Robert Neuhause and the versatile Preston Pearson.
On defense, the Cowboys boasted their famous Doomsday defense, featuring
players like defensive tackle Randy White and safety Cliff Harris.
(02:49):
This unit had been the backbone of the Cowboys success
for years, known for their ability to create turnovers and
shut down opposing offenses. As game day approached, there was
significant drama surrounding the State Stealer's star receiver Lynn Swan.
Two weeks before the Super Bowl, Swan had suffered a
severe concussion in the AFC Championship game against the Oakland Raiders.
(03:09):
His status for the Super Bowl was in doubt right
up until game time, with many wondering if he would
be able to play or how effective he would be
if he did take the field. On the opening kickoff,
the Cowboys ran a reverse play where linebacker Thomas Hollywood
Henderson took a handoff from Preston Pearson and returned the
ball forty eight yards before being forced out of bounds
(03:31):
by Steelers kicker Roy Girella. This play not only energized
the Cowboys and their fans, but also resulted in an
injury to Jirella, who suffered bruised ribs that would affect
his kicking throughout the game. The first quarter was a
defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently.
The Steelers defense, true to form, sacked Staubach on the
(03:52):
very first play from scrimmage, a sign of things to come,
as they would sack the Cowboys quarterbacks seven times throughout
the game. The Cowboys struck first blood late in the
first quarter, giving Dallas a seven to zero lead. This
was a significant moment as it marked the first time
all season that the Steelers vaunted Steel Curtain defense had
allowed a touchdown in the first quarter. The Steelers, however,
(04:15):
were quick to respond. Early in the second quarter, they
put together a drive that showcased their offensive capabilities. The
key play came when Bradshaw found Lynn Swan for a
spectacular thirty two yard reception along the sideline. Swan, despite
his recent concussion, made an acrobatic catch, leaping over cornerback
Mark Washington and somehow managing to keep both feet and bounds.
(04:37):
The drive culminated in a trick play that caught the
Cowboys off guard. On third and goal from the seven
yard line, the Steelers lined up in a formation that
suggested a running play. Instead, Bradshaw found tight end Randy
Grossman wide, opening the end zone for a touchdown, tying
the game at seven to seven. The rest of the
second quarter was a back and forth affair, with both
defenses asserting themselves. The Cowboys manage to take a ten
(05:00):
to seven lead into halftime thanks to a thirty six
yard field goal by Tony Fritch. The close score at
halftime set the stage for what would be a dramatic
and unforgettable second half. As the third quarter began, the
Steelers defense continued to dominate, repeatedly sacking Stowback and forcing
the Cowboys into difficult situations. However, the Steelers offense was
(05:23):
also struggling to find its rhythm, with Guerrilla missing two
field goal attempts due to his injured ribs. It was
after the second missed field goal that one of the
game's most memorable moments occurred. Cowboys safety Cliff Harris mockingly
padded Jirella on the helmet, thanking him for missing the kick.
This act of poor sportsmanship enraged Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert,
(05:47):
who promptly grabbed Harris and threw him to the ground. Surprisingly,
Lambert was not ejected for this action, a decision that
would prove crucial for the Steelers as the game progressed.
The fourth quarter of Super Bowl ten was one for
the ages, filled with dramatic plays and momentum swings. The
Steelers finally got on the board again early in the
(06:07):
quarter when they forced a safety, tackling Cowboys punter Mitch
Hoops in the end zone after a blocked punt. This
cut the Cowboys' lead to ten to nine and gave
Pittsburgh some much needed momentum. The Steel Curtain defense continued
to dominate, forcing a quick three and out from the Cowboys.
Then came the play that would define the game and
(06:28):
cement Lynn Swan's place in Super Bowl lore. With just
over three minutes remaining, Bradshaw dropped back to pass and
was hit hard by two Cowboys defenders. Just as he
released the ball, The pass sword high into the Miami Sky,
hanging in the air for what seemed like an eternity. Swan,
running a deep post pattern, adjusted to the ball, leaped
(06:50):
over cornerback Mark Washington and made an incredible catch at
the five yard line before waltzing into the end zone
for a sixty four yard touchdown. The play was a
masterpiece of time timing, athleticism, and concentration. Swan's ability to
track the ball outmaneuver the defender, and maintain his focus
to make the catch with simply breathtaking. This touchdown gave
(07:10):
the Steelers a twenty one to ten lead and seemed
to put the game out of reach for the Cowboys. However,
Roger Staubach and the Cowboys weren't done yet. With time
running out, Staubach led a quick drive down the field,
culminating in a thirty four yard touchdown pass to Percy Howard.
This cut the Steelers lead to twenty one to seventeen
with just one forty eight left on the clock. The
(07:31):
Cowboys attempted an on side kick, but the Steelers recovered,
seemingly ending Dallas's hopes. However, the Steelers couldn't run out
the clock and were forced to punt, giving Staubach and
the Cowboys one last chance. In a finish that had
everyone on the edge of their seats. Staubach managed to
move the Cowboys to midfield with just seconds remaining, He
(07:52):
launched a deep pass towards the end zone, reminiscent of
his famous Hail Mary from the previous year's playoffs. But
this there would be no miracle. Steeler's safety Glenn Edwards
intercepted the pass in the end zone as time expired,
securing Pittsburgh's victory and their second consecutive Super Bowl championship.
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers twenty one, Dallas Cowboys seventeen.
(08:16):
It was a game that lived up to its billing,
featuring incredible individual performances, dramatic swings of momentum, and a
nail biting finish. Lynn Swan was named the game's Most
Valuable Player, a well deserved honor for his incredible performance
despite the concerns about his concussion. Swan finished the game
with four receptions for a then Super Bowl record one
(08:38):
hundred and sixty one yards. In the game, defining touchdown.
His acrobatic catches, particularly the fifty three yard reception in
the second quarter and the sixty four yard touchdown in
the fourth, would be replayed for years to come and
are still considered some of the greatest plays in Super
Bowl history. Terry Bradshaw, despite taking a beating from the
Cowboys pass rush, finished the game with nine completions on
(09:01):
nineteen attempts for two hundred and nine yards and two touchdowns.
His toughness and ability to make big plays when it
mattered most were crucial to the Steelers' victory. For the Cowboys,
Roger Staubitt completed fifteen of twenty four passes for two
hundred and four yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
Drew Pearson was his primary target, catching five passes for
(09:22):
fifty three yards in a touchdown. The game was a
defensive struggle for much of the contest, with both teams
defenses playing at an extremely high level. The Steelers sacked
Stylebacks seven times, with LC Greenwood accounting for four of
those sacks. The Cowboys defense also played well, holding the
Steelers to just fifty seven rushing yards on thirty attempts.
(09:43):
Super Bowl ten is remembered as one of the greatest
Super Bowls ever played. It featured two iconic franchises, legendary
coaches and Chuck Noll and Tom Landry, and some of
the greatest players ever to step on a football field.
The game had everything defensive dominance, offensive fireworks, controversial moments,
and a dramatic finish. For the Steelers, this victory solidified
(10:06):
their status as a dynasty. They would go on to
win two more Super Bowls in the nineteen seventies, establishing
themselves as one of the greatest teams in NFL history.
Players like Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swan, Jack Lambert, and Mean
Joe Green would become legends of the game, with many
of them eventually enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
(10:29):
The Cowboys, despite the loss, remained one of the NFL's
premier franchises. Super Bowl ten also marked a significant moment
in the evolution of the Super Bowl as a cultural event.
The game's excitement and drama, coupled with the star power
of the teams involved, helped to elevate the Super Bowl
from merely a championship game to a true American spectacle.
(10:51):
Thank you for joining us on this journey back to
Super Bowl ten, a game that proved that sometimes the
most memorable contests are the ones where two great teams
push each other to the very limits of their abilities,
creating a spectacle that transcends the sport and becomes a
part of our collective cultural memory.