James Harrison Feels His Touchdown Was the Greatest Play in Super Bowl History

Former Steelers LB James Harrison believes that his interception touchdown return against the Cardinals was the greatest Super Bowl moment history.

James Harrison Feels His Touchdown Was the Greatest Play in Super Bowl History

James Harrison (Image via IMAGO/X)

In Short
  • James Harrison believes his 100-yard interception return touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII is the greatest play in Super Bowl history.
  • The play shifted momentum, helping the Steelers secure a 27–23 victory over the Cardinals.
  • Harrison had a notable NFL career, playing 15 seasons and winning two Super Bowl championships with the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers went into Super Bowl XLIII as the favorites to win it all. That said, the tides had started to turn in the Arizona Cardinals’ favor until James Harrison made a play that’s etched in every fan’s memory to this day.

Kurt Warner, starting in his third Super Bowl, looked in control of the Cardinals’ offense. Warner tossed a pass aimed at an Arizona receiver near the goal line, but Harrison swooped in with a clever move to turn the momentum toward the Steelers.

Years later, Harrison has no hesitation when ranking that play among the greatest in Super Bowl history.

[It’s number] one. [Now,] stop asking stupid questions.

James Harrison said in a recent ESPN interview when asked where his touchdown ranks

Why does James Harrison claim that his touchdown should be ranked number one in Super Bowl history?

Warner was long thought to be washed up when the Rams released him ahead of the 2004 NFL season. Following a one-year layover with the Giants of New York, Warner signed with the Cardinals in 2006. It took him nearly four years to finally make the Cardinals a winning team, taking them to the Super Bowl in the 2008-09 season.

James Harrison Feels His Touchdown Was the Greatest Play in Super Bowl History
James Harrison (Image via IMAGO)

Fans and critics viewed him as one of the favorites to secure the league MVP title (which would have been his third). In the Super Bowl, the Cardinals met the Steelers. He was completing passes at a rate of 70% through the first two quarters.

It was the Steelers who struck first through Gary Russell, taking a 10-0 lead. Warner cut the deficit to just three points with an accurate pass to Ben Patrick. With 18 seconds left, Warner tried to find Anquan Boldin, but before the ball could reach the wide receiver, Harrison stepped in to intercept it close to the goal line. Then came arguably the greatest play in Super Bowl history.

We had a play call where we were basically on a max blitz. Kurt had to get it out, so he had to throw a quick slant in or out, and I guessed on in and basically just shifted out, flowed out, and he threw it straight to me.

James Harrison said

Harrison raced down the sideline for a 100-yard interception return touchdown. According to league data, that was the longest touchdown return in history (later passed by Jacoby Jones‘ 108-yard TD return during Super Bowl XLVII).

That one play turned the game on its head. The Steelers pulled off a 27–23 victory, clinching their sixth championship in franchise history.

It was definitely the most emotional game I have ever been a part of. I have never been so emotionally drained in my life. I am just so tired right now, man. I could go to sleep right here.

Harrison said back then (H/T: NFL.com)

Harrison, an undrafted free agent who was cut multiple times at the start of his career, played 15 seasons in the NFL for three different teams: the Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the New England Patriots. But he spent 13 of them in Pittsburgh, winning a couple of rings before retiring in April 2018.

The 2008 Defensive Player of the Year made 193 appearances in his long league tenure. In those games, he racked up 811 combined tackles, 84.5 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, 9 forced returns, 8 interceptions, and 24 pass deflections.

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