Super Bowl XIII and 1/2 (Wk#9: Pit 14, Dal 3; 10/28/79) revisited

[74_75_78_79_]

Just watched the game. Most of it, at least.

Summerall & Brookshier announced this 1PM EST Sunday event at Three Rivers Stadium. Its easy to forget considering Big D's relatively-speaking 'bleh' 11-5 finish in '79 (still good enough for top-seed though), but the Cowboys actually were 7-1 going into this one which was one game better than the Steelers who were 6-2. The defending World Champs suffered an embarrassing defeat at win-less Cincy just two weeks prior, but did redeem themselves their next game, Monday Night, by blasting the Orange Crush at home, 42-7! That very triumph would be the beginning of a four-week stretch that, to me, can arguably be seen as the strongest stretch of Steelers football during this Steel Curtain Dynasty; a 'last breath' of True Superiority if you will. And on this day, the 'Boys would be the ones to suffer in this stretch.

Staubach, of course, would start this game only to not finish it (enter Danny White). Brookshier pointed out in Dallas's first possession (first possession of the game, period) that you used to have to double-team Mean Joe, but now he can be taken on with just one blocker - this being said during a replay of the previous play, Rafferty getting it done over #75. But then a few plays later, he stuffs Newhouse (precursor of Moose) as soon as he gets the ball, almost fumbling it! It was then pointed out by both that he's still the leader of that unit, still stout against the run though not rushing the passer as he once did.

It was said that Hollywood Henderson, who had a great game the previous week against StL, almost was out for this game; but still played. But then he got hurt later in the 1st Q, but then got back in the game. Bradshaw-to-Stallworth made a great play on the Steelers' first possession, putting them deep in Dallas territory, but later Cliff Harris sacked Bradshaw on a safety blitz and forced Pittsburgh to punt.

John Dutton, who Big D recently acquired from the Colts (to fill in for now-boxer 'Too Tall'), kept being mentioned. 6'6" over 265! He got in the game just before the 1st Q ended. Landry said that he wasn't expecting any miracles from someone who's only briefly been in camp.

Dorsett had a great run deep in Steelers' territory in the 2nd Q, ending actually with he running into Lambert putting him on his back (more powerful a runner than remembered)! The Steel Curtain would hold Dallas to a FG ro make it 7-3. After that very scoring drive, Dorsett thus far had 7 yards in 8 carries.

Later in the 2nd, Staubach suffered a bruised knee on a 3rd down play deep in their own territory, Steel Curtain forcing a 4th down. Landry, trying some of his trickery, had Danny White fake a punt which didn't work - Steelers in Cowboys' territory. And then Cliff Harris commits a penalty on Sidney Thornton which brings the 'Burgh closer. But not only did Doomsday force them to kick a 32-yard FG, but Barr missed it anyway so the fake-punt attempt by Dallas wasn't what cost them.

It was Pittsburgh 7, Dallas 3 at the half. Franco scored the TD. Time of possession 1st half was pretty even. First downs, however, Steelers had 10 of them, Cowboys just 5.

Here were the brick-and-mortar NFL Today halftime scores...(home team in CAPS)...
Saints 14, REDSKINS 10
LIONS 14, Bills 0
OILERS 17, Jets 10
BUCS 3, Vikings 0
Browns 7, CARDS 6 (missed XP)

It's funny how those last three games listed were said to still be in the...FIRST quarter??

And then Brent gives a Heisman Trophy update! He said that Charles White has all but wrapped it up. Billy Sims was listed at #2. But then he gives the Pro Scouts list saying that they don't want either of them. Perry Harrington from Jackson State was their #1. I never heard of him, but of course know WHO attended Jackson State! A Larue Harrington was also mentioned. Never heard of him either. Brent specified that he was of no relation to Perry.

And on with the second half. Sidney Thornton turned it on a bit in the 3rd Q. I don't know why the 'Thundering Bull' never made it? Brookshier, himself, called him a 'bull' during one of his runs.

"Too Tall, I'd like to wish you a lot of luck in your up and coming fight, November 3rd. I'm so glad that you're not playing football anymore. I'm so sick and tired of looking up at your big ugly face, and I just really wanna say how glad I am you no longer like football. Good luck! I really wish you all the luck in the world."

Right after a commercial break into the 3rd Q, Pittsburgh still up 7-3, they showed a close-up of Terry Bradshaw with a cap on his head and also sporting a mustache saying to the camera the quote up above. Earlier in the telecast, Summerall mentioned Terry's stache. He said he told Terry he liked it with Bradshaw responding that he was the only one who said it so far.

On the very next play after showing Terry 'wishing Too Tall well' - the Steelers on the Cowboys' 48 - Franco scored another TD. This, safe to say, put the game away!

But Roger being Roger, did drive Dallas down into Pittsburgh territory on their very next possession. Dorsett, though not having a good game overall, had another one of his moments. He made a nice run, this time it ending with he putting Ron Johnson on his back! RJ got up slowly, seemingly shaken up, but he ends up getting off the field raising his fist to the crowd. Both Pat & Tom assured the viewers not to worry, reminding everyone how tough #29 was! What a GAME that Steeler secondary had! It was mentioned how kickers are the lowest-paid position in the NFL, DBs being the second-lowest!

Staubach then completed a nice pass to DuPree, putting Dallas at the Steelers' 11. But the Steel Curtain held them to a FG-attempt. Easy, right? Wrong! Septién goes wide left!

On Dallas's next possession deep in their own territory, now just into the 4th Q, was when the infamous Greenwood stop on Captain American for no gain took place. First it was Banaszak who tried to sack him, but was juked. And then came Dunn; same thing. But then LC stuffs him at the LOS, forcing a fumble which ended up not getting called a fumble (it looked, to me, like it was). After being down for a bit (was tough to see) Staubach ended up walking off the field himself, but was obviously concussed as both Pat & Tom said themselves. It wasn't pleasant to see. He would end up continuing the '79 season, make that Classic comeback in the finale (a Rupert Patrick favorite), but many see that play, not the one in the divisional round loss to LA, that pretty much made him not continue his career.

Danny White, of course, comes in for Roger. He himself drives Dallas into Steeler territory. 4th down on the 30, they went for it. #11 throws to Hill in the endzone, but its broken up just on time by Blount. The two in the booth said, paraphrasing, "Who said that he would not be able to play with the rules-change??"

Not only did Roger sadly get knocked out the game. But ex-Steeler (and still living in Pittsburgh in the off-season as said in the booth) Preston Pearson suffered a game-ending knee injury as well. He was down for a while and ended up being carried off in a stretcher. It was mentioned how he played in 5 Super Bowls for three different teams. And Brookshier talked him up on how Dallas made Super Bowl X because of his, and Roger's, performance at LA in the NFCCG.

As Pearson was down, the second games of the doubleheader were listed:
Chi@SF, GB@Mia, NYG@LA,Phi@Cin

Nothing too intriguing. But that third one not bad. Remember, after their 0-5 start (first winning against 5-0 Tampa Bay), the G-men put on a 3-game win-steak going into that very game; then BEAT the Rams to place both their records at 4-5 (SB-bound LA not..."out of the woods" just yet). And one of the two in the booth did mention how the Eagles going in were aware of Dallas, and Washington, losing. Man, what a missed opportunity! Eagles WIN the division, and get top-seed, if they avert such a crazy lopsided upset as their cross-state rivals also suffered!

And then they show next week's doubleheader:
(early games) Dal@NYG, TB@Atl, Wash@Pit, Min@StL
(late) LA@Sea, Det@Chi, NO@Den, SF@Oak

Giants beating Rams now makes the very first game listed as not a bad venue to look forward to. 4-game win-streak, and at home, vs a team just suffering a tough loss (without looking it up, I don't know if Roger was back for that game; I'll guess Preston Pearson would be out for at least quite awhile). The third one mentioned something to look forward to, both with winning records, but knowing what would happen ahead-of-time makes it not intriguing after all to non-Steeler-fans. The one, I'd think, to look forward to would be Archie & Co against the Orange Crush! Seattle-fans...I'm sorry for the reminder.

Back to the also-disheartening event, not much more to really say from there; the score stayed at 14-3 to the end. The broadcast I just saw didn't play the very end of it. Apparently, at the very end of the telecast, cameras caught 'UFO's over the 'Burgh in the daylight sky. The two in the booth acknowledged and mentioned them. But not so fast. There was an explanation for what it was. I remember hearing of this and seeing footage years back. I don't remember the exact explanation.

Dallas's defense did play well this game. Not bad, especially against the run, against a Steeler OL in which every player but one could bench press 500 lbs! This was said in the booth. However, the Steel Curtain simply played so much better! Their pass-rush was all over Roger all day! Even rookie Dwayne Woodruff, #49 (who'd host a via satellite Christmas Night party ten years later that I look back SO fondly of), got in on the act, forcing Staubach to throw an incomplete and knocking him down!

And Pittsburgh's punt-game...numerous times pinning Staubach & Co with their backs to the end-zone! Fantasy football existed in 1979, but nothing at all as it is today; much more difficult to go about, everything brick-and-mortar, couldn't use the internet to help with the scoring, etc. And unless its a real unique fantasy football league, there are no punters. But if there are punters in FFB in 1979 (assuming they mainly score pts by their punts ending up inside the 10, more-so if inside the 5), I'd think that Craig Colquitt would be the #1 ranked punter of '79!

'Super Bowl XIII and 1/2', they'd call this! Understandable-so a very, very hyped regular season game at the time! The Dallas having a better record going in, along with 'cracks'/age already showing in the 'Burgh, had to add more excitement. According to Pro Football Reference, the Steelers were a 3.0 pt favorite. Not only is the game available to see (or at least most of it), but PFR actually offers the play-by-play listed at the very bottom of the page!

Unless you're a Dallas-fan who "wanted revenge" over the 'Burgh for X & XIII, seeing these two in SBXIV in Pasadena not real appealing. Its just the simple fact of not wanting to see a third title match between two teams in which the same team won the two matches. Had Ali beat Frasier in their first two fights, not splitting them, there would be no 'Thrilla'.

The RAMS are what the Dr ordered for 1/20/79! Yes, XIII the 'more important' of the three SBs to mention, but X was actually a better game than XIII - and XIV an even better game than BOTH! The closest, the most-suspenseful 11-pt margin of a football game you'll ever know!

But SBXIII...yes, 'Important'! Brookshier in this telecast called the '58 NFLCG and SBXIII his two most significant. Me? Steeler-fandom aside, I'd say '58 and SBIII. But XIII perhaps a super-strong 3rd. Either way, the 'SBXIII and a 1/2' pre-game hype does not exist at all without the very Thing happening nine months earlier!

If you're not a fan of either team, and Dallas makes SBXIV, you'd rather see them either play San Diego or...HOUSTON in an All-Texas Thanksgiving Day Rematch! I STILL don't understand why that very 11/22/79 Event doesn't get the Historic love it should get! I believe 'Money' here wrote a nice piece on that Game elsewhere! Stetson/Fedora, Campbell/Dorsett, 'Luv Ya Blue' playing not just to be Texas's team, but America's Team as well (just go to...kick the SOB in against You-Know-Who), etc, etc.

Dallas simply OWNED the 'Burgh in the 1990s! The margin was even greater than two decades earlier. Big D at least won a couple Vinces in the '70s along with...1972. But IN the '70s (other than, again, '72) the Steelers SURE owned Dallas (and one for good measure the first MNF game of '82)! This very '79 regular season game, I think, added further reminder ('77 sure an awesome example as well).

It was said that on 60 Minutes that evening, the episode would feature the possibility of actually making marijuana legal. This is 1979, mind you! But sure-enough (without looking it up), the IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS would be featured the following Sunday, This very final Sunday of Oct '79 was literally the EVE of this! 'America's Game and the Iran Hostage Crisis'...I'm sure that many of you have seen. But if you haven't? DO.

On a lighter reminder of the times..."Heaven Must Have Sent You" by Bonnie Pointer (no longer with her Sisters, now solo; her brorher, Aaron, an official of course), "Rise" by Herb Alpert, and two Donna Summer tracks, "Last Dance" and "Hot Stuff", the tracks that would play going into commercials for this '79 Dal/Pit telecast! Other songs too, but I wasn't too familiar. R&B/disco. I think one of those was the opening drums of a certain song about a 'Lola', she was a showgirl - these drums, I believe, coming right before the familiar orchestral chord before the singing starts. Not sure though.

You'd think..."My Sharona" would have been included (or "Sad Eyes" by Robert John; THAT knocked the Knack off the top)!

Funny, disco breathing its last breath whilst, the Steel Curtain did as well. Donna Summer in-particular. She had success in the early-'80s but nothing like the '70s. Steelers? Playoffs in the early-'80s but nothing like the previous decade. And then for the first time in years, DS has her first Top Ten hit since in the summer of '89 followed by Chuck Noll punching in his first playoff ticket in years along with this being his last.

Nothing against disco. And Donna Summer was actually BIGGER than that very genre itself! But I like to compare the Steel Curtain to Led Zeppelin instead! I read 'Hammer of the Gods' in high school. Perhaps my favorite part of the book was when the author, when discussing Led in the fall of '79, comparing they and the Pittsburgh Steelers to each other (ultimate success)! Steel Curtain's last Lombardi was in '79, 'In Through the Out Door' released that fall. And then the Greatest Drummer of All-TIme passed on and that was that.

I wish I was following sports at this time. I was a year away. What are your takes? Any of you remember seeing the game? There is an SI article on the game after the fact. that I read online a while ago on SI's archives. November 5, 1979 issue, I believe. I was looking for it to post the link here but wasn't able to. Pretty nice article.

Some of those back-up players who the Steelers had at the end of that Dynasty as well as in 1980 & '81...you'd think another Lombardi, or two, takes place into that next decade! They seemed to have the depth and it was generally seen going into 1980 that Noll wasn't complacent nor was about to be. And he wasn't. But I guess, in the end, it wasn't enough. They, at times, looked the part here and there in '80 & '81. But, again, I guess not enough.

[7DnBrnc53]

I wish I was following sports at this time. I was a year away.

I was two years away. SF-Cincy XVI was the first SB that I watched. I am ashamed to admit that I rooted for SF.

You'd think..."My Sharona" would have been included (or "Sad Eyes" by Robert John; THAT knocked the Knack off the top)!

My Sharona was the song that killed disco because it knocked a disco hit out of #1. As for John, he has an interesting back story.

In 1972, he had a hit with a remake of The Lion Sleeps Tonight that he didn't want to do. He got a gold record unframed by the company. He was so bothered by this that he quit the business.

Six years later, while he was working at another job, his old manager came back and asked if he could give it one more try. That's how his 1979 and 80 albums happened (before he probably became obsolete due to MTV). And, he got the gold record framed this time.

Nothing against disco. And Donna Summer was actually BIGGER than that very genre itself!

My mom used to play her 8-track back then (it was my older sister's). I like that music way better than anything today.

The RAMS are what the Dr ordered for 1/20/79! Yes, XIII the 'more important' of the three SBs to mention, but X was actually a better game than XIII - and XIV an even better game than BOTH! The closest, the most-suspenseful 11-pt margin of a football game you'll ever know!

They were overdue. I wonder what would have happened to them if they had better quarterbacking (they also had an aging offensive line in 1973-74).

[ChrisBabcock]

OILERS 17, Jets 10
BUCS 3, Vikings 0
Browns 7, CARDS 6 (missed XP)

It's funny how those last three games listed were said to still be in the...FIRST quarter??

Part of that could have been two of those were in the central time zone and maybe they started those games at 1:00 local time back then.