James Harrison Ends First Half With Record-Setting Interception Return

James Harrison won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award this season -- and that honor is all well and good, but the Pittsburgh linebacker just topped himself. On the final snap of the Super Bowl's first half, Harrison jumped in front of a Kurt Warner pass and rumbled back 100 yards for a touchdown.

It was the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history, surpassing Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff return for Green Bay in Super Bowl XXXI.

Arizona had first-and-goal on Pittsburgh's one-yard-line in the final seconds of the first half when Warner tried to thread a pass to Anquan Boldin. Harrison, though, was planted right on the goal line and, as Boldin broke into a slant pattern, Warner hit Harrison right in the hands.

From there, it was just a race down the field. Harrison broke down the right sideline with a convoy of blockers. He went untouched deep into Arizona territory, sluggishly eluded a Cardinal and then used his last gasp of energy to fight off a pair of "defenders" to punch the ball across the goal line before sprawling out on the ground, where he was attended to by Pittsburgh's trainers.

Harrison hit the end zone just as the clock hit zeroes before halftime. The replay booth double-checked the play to make sure Harrison had crossed the plane -- the second time Pittsburgh had an apparent touchdown reviewed; earlier a Ben Roethlisberger score had been overturned when he was deemed short of the goal line. There was no evidence to have a similar decision on Harrison's play, and he officially landed in the record books.

The Super Bowl always produces some plays that become iconic through the years: David Tyree's ridiculous catch in 2008 is the most recent example. No matter the other highlights that come out of this particular game, Harrison's thrilling sprint down the sidelines -- as the clock ticked to 0:00 and several Arizona Cardinals scrambled frantically to track him down -- has secured a spot in Super Bowl lore forever.

The Arizona-Pittsburgh first half was interesting, but Harrison's heroics ratcheted the excitement (and disbelief) level up about a million notches.

Action From Super Bowl XLIII

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison cradles the ball in the end zone after a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, as Arizona Cardinals wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston (15) lie on the turf nearby during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner reacts on the sidelines during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison nears the end zone on a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston, right, try to stop him during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner (13) reacts after Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison makes a 100-yard touchdown interception during the seconf quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison returns an interception for a 100-yard touchdown during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. At right is Arizona Cardinals guard Reggie Wells. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison hauls in an interception in front of Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, and starts off on a 100-yard touchdown return during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (C) runs back an interception 100 yards against the Arizona Cardinals, the longest in Super Bowl history, for a touchdown that ended the second quarter of the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Florida, February 1, 2009. The Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald (L) attempts to tackle Harrison. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) runs back a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark (25) stands over Steelers' James Harrison following Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-01-2009 @ 10:25PM

oceanmom528 said...

why is the video in spanish

2-01-2009 @ 10:53PM

Richard said...

Antonio Holmes, what a hotdog he's so filled with himself pitiful, i don't care if he caught the winning TD he's full of it.

2-02-2009 @ 12:14AM

psu74dl said...

It's Santonio Holmes. Atleast learn to spell the name of the guy you are trying to put down.. 6 TIME CHAMPION THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS!!!!!

2-02-2009 @ 11:14AM

Rob said...

The man caught the winning TD for the Superbowl..he has the right to be happy! You are wrong he is not full of himself..he gives credit to his teammates..his coaches and GOD ..He played an awesome game. moved the ball downfield on the last drive and won the game for the Steelers..Steeler haters get over it!!!

2-02-2009 @ 2:21PM

Mike said...

Harrison is an ass. He should have been tossed later on in the game. They call roughing the passer on the Cards after a Steeler lineman pushed him into BR, yet don't throw out this creep after he punches a Cardinal (while he is down) during a kick! What a travesty!

2-02-2009 @ 4:02PM

detsesom said...

That's football, Mike!@ Quit crying and as far as Richard's comment about Santonio, you're just a poor loser, sport!

2-02-2009 @ 5:12PM

itzjustme503 said...

first of all. harrison's TD was bologna! his leg was down and the ball was not in! yes it was a great game! but horrible refs! i dont even know why i comment stuff about the steelers.... no steeler fans are going to be honest and say it wasnt a TD thats just how steelers fans are.... i think that is why i hate the steelers so much... and that big ben is a bum! haha!

2-03-2009 @ 11:43AM

woodyone5 said...

we should call it the immaculate interception defensive player of the year makes an all-pro int. and returns it for a td mmmmm itzjustme did u happen to see that fitzgerald was blocked by his own man standing on the sideline or was that when u were saying ohhh no the steelers intercepted the ball and then u closed ure eyes and started stomping ure feet like a baby and yes i would have to agree his leg was down but not on the ground if you were paying close attention when THEY REVIEWED IT harrison actually smashed fitzgeralds family jewels give larry fitzgerald a call and ask him how it felt the ball landed on the goal line with harrisons head in the endzone what else do u need to see maybe its time for a stronger pair of glasses GO STEELERS AS MYRON COPE ONCE SAID " THE TERRIBLE TOWEL IS POISED TO STRIKE " AND IT STRUCK IN XLIII

2-06-2009 @ 1:15AM

Whitney said...

all yall steelers haters r gonna say the refs were on our side but thats not the case.
u guys sound like a bunch of seattle fans back @ superbowl 40
GET OVER IT--we won!! six-burgh baby =)