The Pittsburgh Steelers have opened a new exhibit at the Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their Super Bowl XL victory. The exhibit, which opens to the public on August 17 and will run through next summer, highlights the team’s journey during the 2005 season that ended with a win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.
Steelers President Art Rooney II and former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attended the opening event before the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“As we get ready to start the journey of the 2025 season, we look back 20 years to a very special journey of the 2005 season,” said Rooney. “It really was an unusual season in a lot of different ways. We came close to getting eliminated from the playoffs and had to go on an amazing run there in the last month of the season. We were able to get in as a sixth seed.
“And then there were not too many seasons where one of the most famous plays of the season is your quarterback making a tackle. But it was a great game in Indianapolis, a playoff game that we won, and obviously we went on and it was a special day in Detroit.”
Rooney referenced a key moment from that playoff run: during an AFC Divisional Playoff Game against Indianapolis, running back Jerome Bettis fumbled near the goal line late in the game. Colts cornerback Nick Harper recovered and appeared headed for a touchdown until Roethlisberger made what became known as ‘The Tackle’ at midfield, preventing a possible loss.
Reflecting on these events, Roethlisberger said, ” Yeah, 20 years makes you feel really old, especially when as I’m walking in someone reminds me they were in high school when (Super Bowl XL) happened. But it’s an honor to be here to remember an amazing season, team and obviously also the game.
“As I’m older now, I think back to what a silly, young, dumb thing it was to promise Jerome Bettis if he came back for one more year, we would win the Super Bowl. But looking back now, it’s a great story.
“So many great memories from that season, like Mr. Rooney said. Getting in as a sixth seed and not expecting a sixth seed to ever go all the way because it never happened. And being able to get there and then, as Mr. Rooney said, as a quarterback, you don’t usually want to be remembered for making a tackle. Luckily, it wasn’t on an interception, so I can tease Jerome about that all the time.
“But being able go back to Detroit to get him a Super Bowl was really special.”
The exhibit includes photos and timelines starting from their loss in the AFC Championship after the 2004 season through key moments such as wins over teams like Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. The display also recounts how veteran players contributed throughout three consecutive road games leading up to their fifth Super Bowl title—their first since their championship runs in the 1970s.
“There was such a long drought between Super Bowls for this city,” said Roethlisberger. “And obviously, I was young, only my second year here. So there were a lot of veteran guys that had been trying so long to break through and get that.
“So, to be able to do that really meant a lot for this City, for this organization, for the Rooney family. That’s kind of what made it extra special. Obviously Jerome and Detroit made it even more, but that’s what made it extra special was that I think the drought between the last one and this one.”
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