Steelers' Terry Bradshaw Reveals He Never Knew He Threw Iconic Super Bowl Touchdown Pass To Lynn Swann

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s were the Kansas City Chiefs of their time, dominating the NFL with an unparalleled level of success. Winning Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV, the Steelers captured four championships in just one decade. This remarkable achievement cemented their place as one of the greatest organizations in sports history, with their dominance defining the era.

Many younger Steelers fans today didn’t experience the glory of that time, as they weren’t born yet. But for those who lived through it, the stories from the 70s remain legendary. One such story is the unforgettable moment in Super Bowl X, when Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched a 64-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Lynn Swann.

What makes this moment even more incredible is that Bradshaw never saw the play unfold. A bone-jarring hit from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Larry Cole knocked him out cold, sending him off the field and into the locker room. In a video shared by Steel City Star, Bradshaw recounted the thrilling Super Bowl and the unforgettable play. Hearing it from his perspective adds a whole new layer of excitement to an already iconic moment.

"The only thing I remember is I am hearing this voice from way out yonder and it was Tommy Brookshier from CBS," Bradshaw said. "He’s going, 'You did it big buy. You did it.' I hear it way out there and it is just getting louder and louder."

As Bradshaw unleashed the 64-yard deep ball to Swann, Cole delivered a crushing hit directly to his helmet. In today’s game, that type of hit would likely result in a flurry of yellow flags. But the 70s were a different time, and football was played with a level of toughness that is hard to imagine today.

Bradshaw recalled being unable to return to the game after the hit and waking up to the sound of CBS broadcaster Tom Brookshier shouting at him, announcing that the Steelers had won their second consecutive Super Bowl—thanks to his legendary play.

"And I am laying on this table and all of the sudden I open my eyes and Brookshier is right over my face straddling me," Bradshaw said. "He was telling me you did it big guy I mean how would you like to wake up looking at that? Oh man I had a headache and I couldn’t go to the party. They put me in bed. Oh geez it was horrible but I missed it. I missed it. I would have liked to have seen it."

With backup quarterback Terry Hanratty stepping in for an injured Bradshaw, the Steelers worked to close out the Super Bowl against the Cowboys. Head Coach Chuck Noll, looking to kill the clock, called for four consecutive running plays, even opting to go for it on fourth down—a controversial decision at the time. Noll later explained that he didn’t trust the kicking game, which had been inconsistent.

Steelers Left The Door Open For Cowboys And Roger Staubach

With just 1:22 left in the fourth quarter and no timeouts, the Cowboys had one last chance to mount a game-winning drive and steal the Super Bowl from the Steelers. Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach launched a deep ball with only three seconds remaining, but Steelers safety Mike Wagner managed to tip it into the hands of Glen Edwards, securing an interception and sealing the win.

It’s a wild sequence: Bradshaw throws a game-changing touchdown pass, then is sidelined for the final moments as Hanratty takes over. Noll’s decision to play it safe with four straight runs left the door slightly ajar for the Cowboys. But in the end, the Steelers’ legendary defense stepped up, and with that victory, Pittsburgh’s dynasty truly began to take flight.

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