The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a wake-up call that eventually set up one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.
The Steelers posted the league’s top defense in 2008 and met the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Former Pittsburgh defensive back Ryan Clark recalled a turning point in practice that week after the defense had a little more fun without attention to detail.
“We’re picking the football off, and guys are punting the ball or pick the football off and spike it or throw it,” Clark recalled on “Inside The NFL” Wednesday.
Clark noted that Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau voiced his frustration about not taking those reps seriously and what he needed to see the rest of the week to make an impact on Super Bowl Sunday.
“He’s showing every turnover at practice how we’re not transitioning to offense, how people aren’t blocking,” Clark said. “How the dude that’s catching the football isn’t running.”
Story continues below advertisement
LeBeau’s comments paid off days later when James Harrison picked off Kurt Warner’s pass at the goal line on the final play of the first half. Steelers defenders quickly hopped out in front to block for the linebacker as he rumbled 100 yards for a Super Bowl record-setting return touchdown.
Pittsburgh won the game 27-23 in one of the classic Super Bowls of recent memory and the sixth championship for the Steelers.
More Steelers: NFL Insider Provides Key Update On Russell Wilson’s Steelers Future
Featured image via Kim Klement/Imagn Images