When Santonio Holmes made that unforgettable toe-tap touchdown securing the win for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals, it was instantly cemented in the history books. Unsurprisingly, many tales have been told from the Steelers’ perspective. However, stories from the Cardinals’ side of the field are rarer, and understandably so, given the emotional weight of that near miss for a team that was so close to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. Recently, former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner chatted with a group of students, reflecting on the atmosphere that enveloped Arizona’s sideline in those thrilling final minutes.
“As you’d expect when you’re on the opposing side, you start hoping, praying even, that his feet didn’t land in bounds, that maybe he just misses the catch, and then, bam, you win the Super Bowl. We were riding high when I found Larry [Fitzgerald] for what I thought was the game-winning touchdown,” Warner shared on Sam Vincent’s YouTube channel. “We were practically running up the sideline in celebration, thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve done it! We’ve won!’ But there’s always that voice saying, ‘Hold on, there’s still time on the clock.’ And for it to all crumble right there, it’s soul-crushing. Yet, you still have to marvel at truly great moments like that.”
Had it not been for Holmes and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s prowess, Warner’s pass to Fitzgerald would likely have gone down as one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history. Warner, showing the skill and flair of his younger years, nearly led the Cardinals to their first-ever triumph against a formidable Steelers team known for its ironclad defense.
On social media, fans remain captivated by the thrilling moments of that game. An Arizona Cardinals tweet captures the energy: “He took off in the open and ran it home!” The call to relive Fitzgerald’s epic 64-yard touchdown resonates deeply with those who remember the astonishing sequence of events from that day.
Warner described having to settle his teammates down in those euphoric moments following Fitzgerald’s touchdown, when they began to celebrate prematurely. With just 2 minutes and 30 seconds on the clock, Pittsburgh, who had faced a rough second half, was on its last lifeline. The previous drive had even seen the Steelers gift points to Arizona due to a costly penalty.
Despite being under pressure, the Pittsburgh offense rose to the occasion, orchestrating a methodical eight-play, 78-yard drive. Roethlisberger and Holmes clicked, combining four times, with Holmes making the pivotal touchdown that clinched the win.
Warner, always gracious and a celebrated Hall of Famer, has often talked about respecting the brilliance of Holmes’ spectacular catch. His willingness to address these bittersweet memories, even with high school students bringing them up, is commendable.
For the Cardinals and Warner, Super Bowl XLIII is a poignant reminder of what could have been, while for Steelers fans, it’s a cherished memory of victory. It stands out as one of the most extraordinary Super Bowls ever, largely due to the exceptional performances that both teams exhibited.
