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On This Date: Steelers RB Willie Parker 75-Yard Rushing TD Breaks Super Bowl Record

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2 years ago

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Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Willie Parker, ran for a 75-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XL, 16 years ago, on Feb. 5, 2006. The run broke the record for longest rushing touchdown in Super Bowl history and still stands to this day.

Parker’s touchdown broke the previous record, which was a 74-yard rushing touchdown by Oakland Raiders running back Marcus Allen, in Super Bowl XVIII in 1983 against the Dallas Cowboys.

The play began with 14:50 to go in the third quarter on a second down and 10 at the Steeler’s 25 yard line. The Steelers chose one of their favorite run plays, “Counter-Pike.”

What this play did was expose the Seahawks’ nickel defense, by appearing like the Steelers were going to pass, but instead chose to run.

Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward went in motion and was able to draw out Seahawks safety Michael Boulware, making the field wide open if Parker had some space to run.

The offensive line then went to work, as center Jeff Hartings stopped the nose tackle, offensive guard Kendall Simmons and offensive tackle Max Starks double-teamed defensive tackle Rocky Bernard. Starks would then move to nullify the threat of linebacker Lofa Tatupu, while tight end Heath Miller took out defensive end Bryce Fisher.

The most notable block on this play was from Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca, who pulled out and made a great block on linebacker Leroy Hill.

Once Parker got the ball from the handoff by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, all he had to do was make safety Eric Pruitt miss and then had the space and speed to take it all the way for a touchdown.

The touchdown gave the Steelers a 14-10 lead and they would go on to win the Super Bowl, 21-10, the fifth championship in Steelers’ history.

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