Super Bowl Countdown #10: Super Bowl XXX

During the two weeks preceding the Super Bowl, I will be counting down the best Super Bowls I have witnessed in my lifetime, starting in 1988. I created a ranking system and will go game by game reliving each edition until the top Super Bowl is listed.

As the countdown for the big game tomorrow reaches its conclusion, our Super Bowl Countdown is now into the top 10. This game stands out for me, two historic franchises renewing an old rivalry with plenty of colorful personalities on both sides. The Cowboys were the dominant team of the decade of this time. It was a great game but ultimately the Steelers made too many mistakes. The Old Duel in the Desert comes in at 10.

Dallas Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

Semi-Lame Nickname: "Take Me Higher"

Scores:
Historical Significance- 4.5: The teams were meeting for the third time in the big game which is currently the most rematches. The Cowboys and Steelers were vying for their 5th title each which would join the 49ers for the most after San Fran won the previous year. It would be 3 titles in 4 years for the Cowboys. This is a great intro to the game read by the masterful Dick Enberg, when he still had all his scruples.

Game Enjoyment By the Fans- 4.5: While the Cowboys put it away late it was hotly contested. The Steelers' formidable defense put up a valiant effort against the huge O-line and offensive playmakers Dallas possessed. It featured great big plays though, like Deion Sanders making a long catch down the field. Quick side note, this was the height of Sanders' arrogance. If you remember he won the title with San Francisco the year before and then bolted for Dallas. When he was interviewed after the game with the trophy he quipped, "They didn't let me hold this last year." Taking a shot at your former team after you just one the championship, sometimes the most talented men can be the most insecure. There was also a great onside kick by Cowher in the 4th quarter that helped the team pull within 3.

High Profile Element-4: The Cowboys had much of the same cast that had brought them their prior success. NFL Free Agency had just become a reality in the league and the way personnel decisions were being made was about to change. Deion Sanders was an indication of the fluid nature of player moves to come. He was on his 3rd team in 3 years. The rest of the Cowboys backfield was just as impressive with Darren Woodson, Larry Brown(remember the name?), and Brock Marion. Charles Haley was along for his 5th Super Bowl title. The offense included the usual cast of characters, but again the huge line was the catalyst in that it gave Aikman time to dissect the defense and huge holes for Emmitt Smith to run through(or "runulate his game stratatics" as Emmitt would call it). They were led Pro Bowlers Larry Allen, Mark Tuinei, Nate Newton, and Ray Donaldson.

The Steelers embodied their coach. Bill Cowher had taken over in 1992 and despite early success Pittsburgh could not get to the big game in his first few playoff attempts. The Steelers survived the AFC Championship after a Hail Mary attempt by Jim Harbaugh almost was completed in the endzone. However, after this game the reputation of falling short in the playoffs would follow Cowher until he was able to lead the Steelers to the win in Super Bowl XL. Neil O'Donnell(I wonder how those in Pittsburgh feel about old Neil nowadays) led the offense, that was headlined by bruiser Bam Morris and quicker back Eric Pegram. Wide receiver Yancey Thigpen(great football name) was a pro-bowler on the outside. The defense was where this team made their bones though. Linebackers Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd(a true beast) were the havoc-makers on defense. Carnell Lake and Rod Woodson led the defensive backfield.

Venue/Atmosphere- 3.5: Arizona had been denied the Super Bowl a few years earlier because of their inability to recognize MLK day. This was the last Super Bowl to be played on a college campus and in a stadium that had bleacher seats. Oh bleacher seats, what a marvel of stadium technology. The pregame show consisted of a tribute to Native Americans and the Old West. Interesting that they provided a juxtaposition of the old culture of this country next to the present culture that wiped it out. Vanessa Williams sang the national anthem and Diana Ross performed the halftime show. Divas everywhere.

Personal Enjoyment- 4: By this point, I had grown tired of the Cowboys. There are a lot of Cowboys fans everywhere, but in Charlotte there are a ton. Perhaps just as many of them as Panther fans. This year was the first in existence for the Panthers so Cowboy fans felt it was their duty to point out this was how it is done in the National Football League(/Jaws). Therefore I was hoping the Steelers would pull it out.

Cleet's Rating Index: 20.5

Where I Was: I was in my first year of high school at this point. High School is an important stage for a young person's development; it is time to get a little more mature and start figuring out who you are. Just like your personal development is beginning so too is your sports acumen. You begin to see things in the game aside from the obvious and deciding what you really like and dislike about sports.

What Happened in the World: Two days before the game, Hillary Clinton testified before a grand jury for her involvement with the Whitewater scandal. Those Clintons had quite a ride didn't they?

Record of Note: This was the first Super Bowl to present the trophy to the owner of the team and coach on the field. I remember this one because as Barry Switzer held the trophy and passed it to Jerr-ah, he yelled out like Corky, "WE DID! WE DID! WE DID!" I always thought that was amusing.

Game MVP: Larry Brown became the first cornerback to win the MVP award. This was based on his two interceptions of Neil O'Donnell, which as you see below consisted of him standing there and the ball hitting him right in his hands. Brown went on to sign a big free-agent contract with the Raiders and have little production.




LVP: Neil O'Donnell came into the game with the fewest interceptions per pass attempt in league history. Whoops. The 3 interceptions O'Donnell threw sealed his fate in Super Bowl lore and led to his release by the Steelers in the off-season. Neil signed with the Jets but never became effective again.

Most Memorable Play: The surprise onside kick still sticks out in my mind if we want to remain positive and ignore that last pick by O'Donnell. NFL films has a great exchange of Cowher and his coaches planning the onside kick after the late field goal.

NFL Fallout: The Steelers would continue to have success under Cowher but did not reach the Super Bowl again for ten years. The Cowboys began a slow slide into mediocrity after this win. The members of the team were eventually lost to free-agency or old age. The Cowboys would not win another playoff game after 1996 until their victory over the Eagles in this year's playoffs.