Tag: Super Bowl XIV

WATCH: Steelers-Rams Super Bowl 14 in its entirety

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be presenting Super Bowl XIV on Facebook and YouTube channels Sunday evening.

In 1980, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team to win four Super Bowls when they beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-19 in Super Bowl 14.

There’s no need to dig out the VCR to relive the matchup, fans can enjoy every magic moment of the gridiron battle via Facebook or YouTube.

For fans seeing it for the first time, you’re in for a treat. Not only does the victory make this game special, but there are some bonuses the Steelers have added, including interviews with wide receiver John Stallworth and safety Donnie Shell.

Coverage starts Sunday at 6 p.m.

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Former Steelers coach Woody Widenhofer dies at 77

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach and defensive coordinator died Sunday in Colorado.

Robert “Woody” Widenhofer, 77, Butler, Pa. native and four-time Super Bowl-winning coach with the Steelers, died Sunday in Colorado Springs, Colo. from stroke complications.

“Woody played an important role coaching our famed Steel Curtain defense when he helped us win four Super Bowls in the 1970s,” said Steelers president, Art Rooney II. “He coached some of the best linebackers in NFL history during his time in Pittsburgh and was later elevated to defensive coordinator, where he guided the defense in our Super Bowl XIV victory over the Los Angeles Rams.”

Widenhofer served as linebackers coach from 1973 to 1978 and defensive coordinator from 1979 to 1983.

After being promoted to DC, the Steelers took home their fourth Super Bowl title in six years. His defense was second in yards allowed and fourth against the run.

The Steelers made the playoffs again in 1982 and 1983 before Widenhofer left to become head coach of the USFL Oklahoma Outlaws in 1984.

The Outlaws went 6-12, and Widehofer went to Missouri. He was head coach of the Tigers from 1985-88 and the Vanderbilt Commodores from 1997-2001. In between colleges, Widenhofer was DC with the Detroit Lions and LB coach of the Cleveland Browns.

It’s hard to believe, but the Super Bowl teams of the ’70s had three different defensive coordinators. Bud Carson was the coordinator for Super Bowl IX and X, George Perles for Super Bowl XIII, and Widenhofer for Super Bowl XIV.

A team with that much turnover doesn’t usually have that kind of success, but it is the Steel Curtain we’re talking about.

Before taking over as Steelers DC, Widenhofer coached Hall of Famer linebackers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, and Andy Russell, Henry Davis, and Loren Toews — all critical parts of the Steel Curtain.

In 2007, Widenhofer finished his coaching career as DC at Mexico State.

 

On this day in history: Steelers beat the Rams in Super Bowl XIV

Looking back 40 years to when the Steelers won their fourth Super Bowl championship.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the greatest team in the NFL during the 1970s. Their reign of terror included four Super Bowl wins in the decade including their record-setting fourth win in Super Bowl XIV against the Los Angeles Rams. That game happened 40 years ago today and was the game that made me a Steelers fan for life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OSX3Y-EObk

Pittsburgh went into the season as defending Super Bowl champions and despite going 12-4 in the regular season, the year had been filled with struggles. That didn’t change against the Rams as Los Angeles led 13-10 at halftime.

When wide receiver Lynn Swann went down with an injury in the second half it looked like Pittsburgh wouldn’t have enough firepower to complete the comeback. But John Stallworth made one of the most historic catches in Super Bowl and franchise history. He connected with Super Bowl MVP Terry Bradshaw on a 73-yard touchdown to give the Steelers a lead they would not relinquish.

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