Steelers' Greatest Moment In Recent History Debated By Former Cardinal: "Still A Questionable Call"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently trying to get back to a spot where the organization can be competing for a Super Bowl. That is not something that fans have felt in a while. The Steelers got close during the 2016 season as the group made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Before that, the franchise made it to Super Bowl XLV during the 2010 season where the team lost to the Green Bay Packers, and two years before that was the last time Pittsburgh was able to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. That occurred after taking down the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII at the end of the 2008 season.

The Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl at the end of the 2008 season as the group took down the Cardinals by a score of 27-23. The game is widely considered one of the best Super Bowls of all-time as it included a 100-yard pick-six from James Harrison to end the first half, a safety, and two last-minute lead changes. Former Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes caught the game-winning touchdown from Ben Roethlisberger with under a minute to go. 

Antrel Rolle, a former defensive back for the Cardinals, spoke about that play in a recent sit down with HardRock Bet.

"The Santonio Holmes catch, I feel like to this day, it’s still a questionable call," Rolle said. "But because of the competitor and athlete that I am, and as much as it hurts me to say, I think they had to give him that call. Can you say it was definitely not a catch? No, and you also can’t definitely say it was a catch. But because of the effort that went into it and what the moment entailed, you have to give him the call. He had a phenomenal last drive, so it was well-earned and deserved on his part."

Rolle doesn't believe the call should have been a catch, although it is obvious to many fans and pundits that Holmes maintains possession of the football and gets both of his feet down in the corner of the end zone. There shouldn't really be a question about whether or not the ball was caught, and it should not be considered a controversial call.

Rolle went on to have a great career as he played through the 2015 season. He became an All-Pro and Pro Bowler during his time with the New York Giants, and he also was able to experience true glory as he wound up actually winning a Super Bowl. However, he clearly still thinks a good amount about the loss to Pittsburgh.

Holmes was eventually named the MVP of the contest, and it was for good reason. On the final drive of the game, he hauled in four passes for 73 yards, including the big touchdown. It was a great ending to a Super Bowl, and there shouldn't be any questioning of the remarkable catch made by Holmes. Some more credit should also be given to Roethlisberger, as the ball was thrown perfectly, despite the fact that Holmes looked to be completely covered.

Steelers' Game-Winning Moment Overshadowed Other Incredible Accomplishments

Many casual NFL fans will only remember Holmes' incredible catch to win the game, but Pittsburgh also made some great plays on the defensive side of the ball. One was obviously Harrison's pick-six as mentioned right before halftime that gave the Steelers a 10-point lead. It also took points off of the board for Arizona because the Cardinals had the ball inside Pittsburgh's five-yard line. The other great defensive play was LaMarr Woodley's strip sack on Kurt Warner, which is what truly sealed the game.

A lot of NFL fans think the game ended with Holmes' catch, but that's not the case. Arizona got the ball back with right around :30 seconds left and two timeouts. The offense gained 33 yards on two plays, and then Woodley came through with the strip sack.

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