Santonio Holmes' snag in the end zone will likely be the lasting image of Super Bowl XLIII, but if James Harrison was one-tenth of a second slower on his 100-yard dash to end the first half, the Cardinals are likely hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.It's arguable that Harrison's play, the longest in Super Bowl history, was even more important than Holmes' catch. Arizona was looking to go into the half with a lead, instead, when Harrison picked off Kurt Warner and returned the interception for a record-breaking 100-yard touchdown, it was a 14-point swing that turned the entire momentum of the game.
Without Harrison's interception, the Cardinals would have gone into the half, at worst, likely tied 10-10. If Harrison hadn't scored, Pittsburgh would have gone into the half with a narrow 10-7 lead. The clock ran out as Harrison lumbered through the final yards of his return, so Pittsburgh would have been left without a chance to take advantage of Harrison's pick.
Without Harrison's play, Holmes would not have had a chance to be the Super Bowl MVP. If you look at Harrison's other stats (three tackles, one assist, no sacks) you may believe that he had a pedestrian game, but he actually was a dominating factor. Mike Gandy was flagged for three holding penalties, two of which came when he was trying to corral Harrison. And the Cardinals' emphasis on stopping Harrison helped fellow outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley pick up two more sacks (his fifth and sixth of the postseason).
Steelers Put on Super Show
This US Navy photograph obtained February 1, 2009 shows US Navy sailors aboard the USS Essex reacting while watching Super Bowl XLIII on February 2, 2009 in the South China Sea, several time zones ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Santonio Holmes caught a seven-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / US NAVY == GETTY OUT == (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
U.S. soldiers, serving at Bagram airbase north of Kabul, watch the NFL Super Bowl football game early morning February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN)
Reuters
U.S. soldiers, serving at Bagram airbase north of Kabul, watch the NFL Super Bowl football game early morning February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN)
Reuters
With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (front) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (R) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (2nd-R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (C) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Santonio Holmes (#10) of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks on the field during Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Holmes caught a seven-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger holds the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009 as owner Dan Rooney (R) and head coach Mike Tomlin (2nd R) look on. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
The Steelers signed Harrison to a four-year contract extension back in 2006 when he was still a backup. That proved to be one of the best deals in Steelers' history, as Harrison has outplayed his four-year, $6.5 million-deal from the day after he signed it. He still has one year left on that deal, but considering how vastly underpaid he is, it wouldn't be surprising if the Steelers start talking to Harrison about a higher-salaried extension in the near future.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-02-2009 @ 12:50AM
Robert said...
A- ALL athletes are vastly overpaid, but...
B- It saddened me that there was NO mention in post-game interviews acknowledging the fight that the underdog Cardinals gave. Were it not for a serious blunder at the end of the first half, and a clearly 'miraculous' catch by Santonio Holmes, Kurt Warner could have been waxing lyrical about being a virtual ventriloquist dummy for his 'god'. That being said, KUDOS to BOTH teams for providing clearly the BEST SUPER BOWL EVER!!! Whoa! Holy Sh*t! WOW! (Thanks guys...)
Reply
2-02-2009 @ 1:09AM
Michelle said...
Harrison should have been thrown out of the game for throwing punches. Even though the Cardinals were able to come back from it, I feel like the turn over and touch down right before the half really affected the outcome of the game.
Reply
2-02-2009 @ 12:08PM
Prefisher said...
I could not agree more, although I was routing for the Cards, You had to be excited about the end of half run back by Harrison, then he makes a fumble recovery. I am looking at him as the MVP if the game ended there. THEN... He erased all that when the THUG in him comes out, knocking down the Card, punching him in the back and then shoving him again when he was down. He should have been thrown from the game.
FAME to SHAME in one play....
2-02-2009 @ 9:40AM
volvobusdude said...
Agreed.
Harrison-sprinter, hurdler; FIGHTER.
Pretty good for the defensive player of the year-not.
Wonder if the NFL will fine him for his pummeling of the Cards player?
2-02-2009 @ 1:11AM
satchseven said...
harrison,s td was not the game winner.it was holmes torching of a secondary that has been getting burnt all year that was the difference
Reply
2-02-2009 @ 9:00AM
CoolRep said...
yeah Harrison TD was the game winner and difference in the game but his best move was just beating another player who was already down and out of the play over and over again. Steroids Rock!
Reply
2-02-2009 @ 6:57PM
t said...
Do you people need a tissue? Or eyeglasses?
Are you all too stupid to know what a "punch" is? You know- the part about "closed fist with intent to cause injury"? His hand was open, alll he did was push the guy down. Of course, you're selective vision prevents you from seeing that same Card player diving straight for his knees on that punt, eh?
No punch. Period.
Bad judgement? Sure. Even a good call on a fifteen yard penalty, i say. But not a punch.
Just because John Madden says it doesn't make it true.
I've never seen so many poor losers and miserable whiners in all my life...
Reply
2-02-2009 @ 9:33PM
mjmbj said...
Sure the Harrison return was a major changing play of the game, however he should have been thrown from the game after his horrible display of PUNCHING the Cardinals player when he was down. He should have been thrown out of the game no matter who he is and should definitely be fined several thousands of dollars for his atrocious conduct.
Reply
2-03-2009 @ 7:58AM
sevinm said...
I just rewatched the entire game. There was no "punch". I saw an open handed jam. Yes, it was worthy of a penalty. But no reason to toss him out of the game. He jammed the guy on his shoulder pads and really didn't need to finish him off the way he did, but geesh, this is football.
Reply