James Bond turns 50 and the Steelers turn 80...

In tribute to both wonderful "pop culture" institutions, here is my quick "history" of the Steelers, using Bond titles:

1. "Dr. No". Prior to Super Bowl IX, DE Dwight White came down with pneumonia. But White would not take "no" for an answer, when it came to whether or not he would play. Not only did White play, despite losing considerable weight: he scored the game's first points with a safety of Fran Tarkenton.

2. "From Russia with Love." During their 70s dynasty, the Steelers’ defense became known as the “Steel Curtain,” a takeoff on the term, “Iron Curtain,” associated with the Soviet Union.

3. "Goldfinger." Myron Cope touched a yellow towel, and it turned into gold.

4. "Thunderball." Bradshaw's pass to Stallworth to put the Steelers up for good in Super Bowl XIV.

5. "You Only Live Twice." Two years after nearly being killed in a motorcycle accident, Ben Roethlisberger takes his second chance in life and leads the Steelers to a win Super Bowl XLIII.

6. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." Who knows how much Bill Cowher knew of his wife's cancer in 2005. If he did, he kept it a good secret; and the team's improbable run to a Super Bowl title now seems like Cowher's final dedication to her.

7. "Diamonds Are Forever." The Steelers celebrated their 75th anniversary during a memorable Monday Night game in 2007. The Steelers scored 35 first-half points in a rout of the Ravens. The 75th anniversary team was announced, and Terry Bradshaw was on the sidelines, admiring a crushing Hines Ward block of Ed Reed.

8. "Live and Let Die." Joe Greene was so “psyched” to play the 1974 AFC Championship Game that he claims it was the only time he was in the “zone.” HJe also claims the entire team was in the “zone,” thanks in part to a fiery speech from Chuck Noll. Greene would say, “It didn’t matter who played, when we played, or where we played. They were gonna lose.” There was no killing off the Steelers that day.

9. "The Man with the Golden Gun." Terry Bradshaw was the #1 overall pick in 1970 and led the Steelers to four titles.

10. "The Spy Who Loved Me." The 2007 "spygate" story tainted the Patriots' titles, and despite Hines Ward's criticisms of the Patriots, only one team came to the Patriots' defense: the Steelers.

11. "Moonraker." In a key 1992 matchup, the Steelers defeated the Oilers, and Rod Woodson delivered a memorable knockout blow of Warren Moon on a corner blitz. Moon suffered a concussion and left the game.

12. "For Your Eyes Only." The Steelers' scoreboard at Heinz Field is rarely shown on television, as networks fear it provides too much free advertising to the condiment giant. Only fans at the stadium ever see it light up in "red zone" glory.

13. "Octopussy." The Steelers have won EIGHT AFC titles.

14. "A View to a Kill." In February of 2001, Three Rivers Stadium was demolished. Fans lined up across the river to see this. Former Steelers watched from the top of Mount Washington.

15. "The Living Daylights." This is what the Steelers beat out of the Baltimore Colts in a 1976 playoff matchup, perhaps the most complete postseason game the Steelers have ever played.

16. "Licence to Kill." During Super Bowl X, Jack Lambert took exception to Cowboy Cliff Harris taunting Roy Gerela. After throwing Harris down, Lambert’s heigtened rage led to second half dominance by him and the defense.

17. "Goldeneye." Bradshaw’s “bullet,” to Swann, sealed Super Bowl XIII.

18. "Tomorrow Never Dies." After a 1-4 start in ‘76, and Bradshaw injured, the Steelers (and their defense) played each of their remaining games as though it were their last, en route to a 10-4 record.

19. “The World Is Not Enough.” Steelers fans can now post photos of themselves and their terrible towels, taken from locations around the world. The site is called “Terrible Towel Around the World.” It’s a matter of time before the Towel flies on the moon.

20. “Die Another Day.” The Immaculate Reception. The Steelers would beat the Raiders, in one of the greatest moments in NFL history, only to succomb to the Dolphins in the AFC title game.

21. “Casino Royale.” Upon retiring, Jerome Bettis parlayed his fame and fortune into a piece of the Rivers Casino project in Pittsburgh.

22. “Quantum of Solace.” No amount of this could keep Neil O’Donnell from bolting after throwing two key interceptions in Super Bowl XXX. In fact, O’Donnell didn’t look the least bit remorseful, as though he already knew it was the last game he’d play in a Steeler uniform.

23. “Skyfall.” In one of the great Super Bowl moments, Lynn Swann makes a juggling, midfield catch, as the Steelers win 21-17.

 

Bravo - you Sir worked overtime on this effort. Clever and convincing. A closet script writer perhaps? I've had a few "odd-jobs" in my days as well.

But now it's on to SB Ring #007!

 

I worked on this as part of a column for a sports blog.

 

OMG, i'm older then Bond, james bond.

 

Everones favorite movies and everyones favorite team
very nice post

 

always enjoy your post 12to88
no.3 i have alot of them goldbars

think you can do one for the other teams in our division using the police academy movies maybe? just kidding

damn macdaddyo thanks alot jerk

 

but we are much wiser.

 

that's right bud, wiser. *-) yet, sometimes i still act like sean connery on jeopardy (snl)

 

LOL your not alone.