James Harrison

James Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro linebacker, had just intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and rumbled 100 yards for a touchdown that was heart-stopping not just for a worldwide audience, but, it appeared for a few minutes, perhaps Harrison himself. Exhausted from the longest play in Super Bowl history, Harrison lay supine on the side of the end zone all but motionless, trying to catch his breath.

Steelers defenders turned into blockers while Arizona’s offensive players desperately ran after Harrison. This season’s Associated Press defensive player of the year after making 16 sacks and forcing seven fumbles, the 242-pound Harrison began looking less like a linebacker and more like Earl Campbell.

Running the length of the field at full speed himself, the 316-pound Cardinals tackle Mike Gandy tried to shoestring-tackle Harrison at the 10 but missed. Just before the goal line, Arizona’s Steve Breaston smacked into Harrison from behind while Larry Fitzgerald tried to wrestle him down, but Harrison’s momentum was too great. He slumped to the ground helmet-first just beyond the goal line.