O'Donnell's teammates had no defense of his two interceptions thrown to Larry Brown that led to 14 Cowboys points. Dallas’ Larry Brown (24) looks upfield after intercepting a pass thrown by Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXX to set up a Dallas touchdown. Mar 14, 2013 - O'Donnell was drafted by the Steelers with the 70th overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft. Ranking the 8 quarterbacks Tom Brady has faced in Super Bowls Tom Brady 2 … ... and four interceptions across these two games. The Steelers trailed by only 13-7, but it took just two plays to convert the interception into a touchdown. "We've got to make third downs and keep Aikman and Irvin and Smith off the field.". The Steelers lost to the Cowboys 27–17, as Neil threw a pair of second-half interceptions that led to scores. It might not be fair, but that's life at America's biggest sporting event. O'Donnell expected wide receiver Andre Hastings to be racing toward the sideline. "I think there was some miscommunication between the receiver and O'Donnell," Brown said. He returned this one 33 yards and again Smith scored two plays later. Welcome to Touchdown Wire's European Union Experience. ... and four interceptions across these two games. The Steelers lost to the Cowboys 27–17, as Neil threw a pair of second-half interceptions that led to scores. But his own failure -- perhaps feeling the pressure of marauding Cowboys -- led to the interception without a Steeler receiver anywhere near Brown. Dallas’ Larry Brown (24) looks upfield after intercepting a pass thrown by Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXX to set up a Dallas touchdown. The Pittsburgh Steelers won a Super Bowl in Ben Roethlisberger's second season as quarterback, but Neil O'Donnell nearly replaced Big Ben the year before. Try and name another franchise where a Willie Parker 75-yard TD run in the Super Bowl — the longest TD run in Super Bowl history — would not even crack the top 10 […] ... O'Donnell led the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, but threw two interceptions to Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown to set up short touchdown drives in the second half. O'Donnell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 70th overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft. The unlikely hero of the game turned out to be Dallas cornerback Larry Brown, who intercepted Neil O’Donnell twice in the second half of Super Bowl XXX.The second of the two ended up being the back breaker, as it helped seal the 27-17 victory … The Pittsburgh Steelers eight Super Bowl appearances have provided NFL Films with an uncanny amount of highlights and great (even iconic) plays. Two Dallas Cowboys legends star in a ranking of the top quarterback matchups in every Super Bowl to date. Needless to say, Neil took a lot of heat for the defeat, although his receivers did not have good games. Cowboys got big boost from unlikely source in Super Bowl XXX ... Then came Larry Brown and his two interceptions against the ... A lot of people blame Neil O'Donnell… Instead, on second-and-10 from the Steelers' 32, O'Donnell again seemed to throw directly to Brown. O’Donnell threw two of his three interceptions to Brown, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors. quarterback Neil O'Donnell as the AFC Central's Most Valuable Player for 1995, but the principal one is best illustrated by a play in the third quarter of the Steelers' 49-31 victory over the Bengals on Nov. 19. If the guy's soft, I'm going in. In his career, Neil O’Donnell was one of the least-intercepted quarterbacks in history, but in Super Bowl XXX, he just couldn’t stop throwing the ball to the Cowboys’ Larry Brown. O'Donnell led the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, but threw two interceptions to Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown to set up short touchdown drives in the second half. We've got to score against them early," O'Donnell said in the days leading up to Super Bowl. As the NFL was celebrating 30 years of the Super Bowl when the Steelers and Cowboys locked up in the big game, Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell set … Both interceptions stymied viable Pittsburgh drives, setting up short rushing touchdowns by Emmitt … He completed 28 of 49 passes for a modest 239 yards. The Cowboys scored on their first three possessions and took a 13-0 lead six minutes before halftime. O'Donnell ended his career with the lowest interception percentage in NFL history, averaging just 2.11 interceptions for every 100 pass attempts, although this statistic is somewhat diminished by the costly ones he threw in the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers has since eclipsed the record (1.99 interception percentage through the 2010-11 season). Super Bowl XXX - Wikipedia Yet, he showed some gumption in the closing minutes of the half to trigger the only Pittsburgh show of force to that point. Both interceptions stymied viable Pittsburgh drives, setting up short rushing touchdowns by Emmitt … He would get the car and -- as a pending free agent -- a $12 million contract to join the Oakland Raiders. With all his sloppiness in the half, O'Donnell had somehow gotten the Steelers to within 6 points. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback threw a pair of interceptions … One of them didn't. Aaron Rodgers has since eclipsed the record (1.99 interception percentage through the 2010-11 season). The Steelers — and coach Bill Cowher — are done in by quarterback Neil O’Donnell’s three interceptions. Actually, O'Donnell had a fitful day before and after the interception. O'Donnell played 14 seasons in the NFL, threw for 21,690 yards, 120 touchdown passes, and only 68 interceptions. And both quarterbacks, for whatever reason, struggled in the Super Bowl. He returned it 44 yards to the Steelers' 18, Troy Aikman immediately hit Michael Irvin for 17 yards and Emmitt Smith punched the ball the final yard for the touchdown to make it 20-7. Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 17 - Cowboys Defeat the Steelers 27-17 to win Super Bowl XXX, Cowboys CB Larry Brown named MVP. Worst of all, as quarterback he bears much of the burden for their 27-17 loss to the Cowboys: His two interceptions at the hands of Larry Brown resulted in the decisive points in the game. ", And Hastings himself described the play as a "hot" situation -- "if the guy's pushing me, I'm going out. Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O'Donnell threw three interceptions in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys. "I was reading the quarterback all the way, and I felt he thought the receiver was going to go out.". Super Bowl XXX - Wikipedia (ERIC DRAPER) O'Donnell's second … Neil Kennedy O'Donnell (born July 3, 1966) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons (1990–2003) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans.He played college football at Maryland. After sitting on the bench for his entire rookie season, he started in eight games during 1991 before becoming the team's full-time QB in 1992. He started for the New York Jets before joining the Titans as Steve McNair's backup. The Steelers — and coach Bill Cowher — are done in by quarterback Neil O’Donnell’s three interceptions. Super Bowl LV: How Scotty Miller wins Super Bowl MVP SUPER BOWL 1 day ago 21 shares. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. The league MVP from a season ago collected the Super Bowl MVP going 26-of-42 for 286 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the Chiefs' 31-20 victory over the 49ers. O'Donnell led the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, but threw two interceptions to Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown to set up short … Troy Aikman vs. Neil O'Donnell, Super Bowl XXX Jan. 28, 1996: Cowboys 27, Steelers 17 Aikman was coming off a season that saw him earn his fourth of five consecutive Pro Bowl … The Tampa Bay defense stifled Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs all night and the Buccaneers earned a decisive 31-9 victory in Super Bowl … The Steelers survived by gutting out a 13-play, 54-yard drive that ended with quarterback Neil O'Donnell throwing a six-yard touchdown pass to wideout Yancey Thigpen 13 seconds before the intermission. After sitting on the bench for his entire rookie season, he started in eight games during 1991 before becoming the team's full-time QB in 1992. But Pittsburgh could not overcome the two interceptions by Brown, which broke up two Pittsburgh drives and set up two Dallas touchdowns. O’Donnell threw 28 of 49 passes for 239 yards. 17-9. (ERIC DRAPER) O'Donnell's second … Brown had drifted back in coverage in the right flat on a third-and-9 play that started on the Steelers' 48. For his career, he has completed 1,847 of 3,202 passes for 21,458 yards, with 118 touchdown passes, 67 interceptions and a passer efficiency rating of 81.6. "It was a bit of miscommunication between the quarterback and wide receiver," said O'Donnell. The Detroit Lions haven't come close to a Super Bowl during the Matthew Stafford era, and retired NFL quarterback Neil O'Donnell thinks it's a shame. Morris ran for a game-high 73 yards. The cornerback won Super Bowl MVP. Until he connected on a key third-down pass late in the opening half, he had gone through a stretch of only one completion in seven attempts. Their offense was led by quarterback Neil O'Donnell, who completed 246 out of 416 passes for 2,970 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions. O'Donnell led the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, but threw two interceptions to Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown to set up short … Super Bowl XXX: Dallas Cowboys 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 17 - Cowboys Defeat the Steelers 27-17 to win Super Bowl XXX, Cowboys CB Larry Brown named MVP. Neil O’Donnell and the Steelers offense took the field, but after two conservative runs from Erric Pegram and an Andre Hastings reception fell short, the Steelers were forced into a Rohn Stark punt. A lot of rumours had circulated that Super Bowl XXX was fixed in the Dallas Cowboys favor & O’Donnell had intentionally thrown those interceptions. And then he connected for the score with Yancey Thigpen. Twice he simply missed open receivers. There have been other strange on-field occurrences in the Super Bowl, ... quarterback Neil O’Donnell throwing two interceptions directly ... three first-half interceptions … O'Donnell ended his career with the lowest interception percentage in NFL history, averaging just 2.11 interceptions for every 100 pass attempts, although this statistic is somewhat diminished by the costly ones he threw in the Super Bowl. TEMPE, Ariz. -- Neil O'Donnell all but gift-wrapped the Super Bowl trophy for the Dallas Cowboys last night.. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Brown was the surprise hero of Super Bowl XXX with two interceptions of Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell. Neil O’Donnell : biography July 3, 1966 – Neil Kennedy O’Donnell (born July 3, 1966) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for 14 seasons (1990–2003) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans. The Steelers had climbed to within 20-17 after scoring on a field goal, recovering an onside kick and driving to a touchdown and, with just over four minutes remaining, had an opportunity to tie or take the lead. The Steelers fought back, though, dominating the second half to the extent that they ran 55 plays to the Cowboys' 19, but a nearly identical play did them in. A lot of rumours had circulated that Super Bowl XXX was fixed in the Dallas Cowboys favor & O’Donnell had intentionally thrown those interceptions. The 12th-round pick was now Super Bowl XXX's unlikely MVP. Super Bowl XXX was the first time that the Steelers advanced to the league championship game since winning Super Bowl XIV and the first under head coach Bill Cowher.Cowher took over the team in 1992 after longtime head coach Chuck Noll retired after a 23-year tenure and leading the team to four Super Bowl wins. The season ended, however, with three interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl. (Photo: Getty) O'Donnell was fulfilling his own prophecy. But O'Donnell didn't freeze or become flustered as a result of the score, Erhardt said. O’Donnell’s touchdown-to-interception ratio in 1995 was 17-7. "Hastings ran a hitch route. Third downs? TRENDING 1. In 1995, Neil led Pittsburgh to the AFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl XXX across from the Dallas Cowboys. Neil O'Donnell: Pos: QB, Career: 125 G, 120 TD, 81.8 Rate (64th), 173.5 Y/G, ProBowl, Steelers/Titans/.. 1991-2003, born NJ 1966 For the first time in franchise history, the Steelers were defeated in the Super Bowl. SUPER BOWL XXX;For O'Donnell, It's a Game of Misreads, Mistakes and Misgivings. Cornerback Robert Bailey is at right. In 1995, Neil led Pittsburgh to the AFC Championship and a berth in Super Bowl XXX across from the Dallas Cowboys. "It's something that happens. O'Donnell, 29, completed 246 of 416 passes for 2,970 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 1995. Roethlisberger’s? The Pittsburgh Steelers won a Super Bowl in Ben Roethlisberger's second season as quarterback, but Neil O'Donnell nearly replaced Big Ben … In other words, O'Donnell is supposed to "read" what the defense is doing and expect Hastings to react the same way. O'Donnell joined the Jets in 1996, shortly after leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl. In his third year as the starter in Green Bay, Rodgers threw for 3,922 yards and 28 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions. He completed 28 of 49 passes for a modest 239 yards. Super Bowl champ Rob Gronkowski hits Disney World, How Todd Bowles used some three-safety packages to slow the Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl tributes and celebrations of Tom Brady roll on and on, Shaquil Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul, two steps and the play that turned Super Bowl LV, How Bruce Arians' Super Bowl victory may convince owners to hire diverse coaches, Tom Brady's greatest gift to the Buccaneers? He played college football at the University of Maryland. He started for the New York Jets before joining the Titans as Steve McNair's backup. ... for most interceptions in a Super Bowl … And late in the drive, on third and 13 from the Cowboys' 23, he struck for a 17-yarder with Mills to push the ball down to the 6 with only 17 seconds left. Still, the Steelers were in contention in the final period -- until the second interception. See the article in its original context from. He returned the balls for 77 yards, becoming the first cornerback to be voted Super Bowl MVP. This site is neither endorsed, nor sponsored by, nor affiliated with the NFL (National Football League). O'Donnell threw two awful interceptions last night. quarterback Neil O'Donnell as the AFC Central's Most Valuable Player for 1995, but the principal one is best illustrated by a play in the third quarter of the Steelers' 49-31 victory over the Bengals on Nov. 19. The three Steelers receivers who had lined up on his side broke toward the center of the field as O'Donnell's pass sailed right into Brown's hands. He signed a five-year deal worth a potential $25 … The Detroit Lions haven't come close to a Super Bowl during the Matthew Stafford era, and retired NFL quarterback Neil O'Donnell thinks it's a shame. During Cowher's first year, the Steelers captured the number one … In fact, on the critical first interception, he said the ball simply slipped out of his hands. For the first time in franchise history, the Steelers were defeated in the Super Bowl. On a third-and-20, he hit Hastings for 19 yards to position a fourth down, which succeeded. He was sacked four times and often seemed to be throwing under pressure because his passes were off the mark. O'Donnell often appeared flustered, a quarterback who couldn't find his receivers in his first Super Bowl appearance, and couldn't do much to produce a Steelers surge with any continuity. The first interception was shocking because no one seemed to be in the area -- except Brown. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette) Their offense was led by quarterback Neil O'Donnell, who completed 246 out of 416 passes for 2,970 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only seven interceptions. TEMPE, Ariz. -- Neil O'Donnell all but gift-wrapped the Super Bowl trophy for the Dallas Cowboys last night.. Super Bowl XXX was the first time that the Steelers advanced to the league championship game since winning Super Bowl XIV and the first under head coach Bill Cowher.Cowher took over the team in 1992 after longtime head coach Chuck Noll retired after a 23-year tenure and leading the team to four Super Bowl wins. Neil Kennedy O’Donnell was born July 3, 1966 in Madison. Troy Aikman vs. Neil O’Donnell, Super Bowl XXX: O’Donnell (17 TDs, 7 INT) was intercepted twice by MVP Larry Brown and Aikman had his third Super Bowl ring. O'Donnell joined the Jets in 1996, shortly after leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl. This is a digitized version of an article from The Times’s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. It was the game's first turnover, coming at the moment when the tempo of the game was in the balance. He hovered near the right sideline. O’Donnell threw two of his three interceptions to Brown, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors. By: Nick Wojton. Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O'Donnell threw three interceptions in … O'Donnell played 14 seasons in the NFL, threw for 21,690 yards, 120 touchdown passes, and only 68 interceptions. O'Donnell, on the other hand, will always be remembered for his shortcomings in Super Bowl XXX. O'Donnell completed 24 of 31 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns in that game, one of five this season in which he did Neil O’Donnell, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XXX Woodley is the first guy on the list to have thrown for a touchdown — one of four passes he completed that day. He has 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions for his career, excelling in the type of quick-game offense that is … Larry Brown intercepted two passes thrown by Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell in the Cowboys' fifth Super Bowl win. For his career, he has completed 1,847 of 3,202 passes for 21,458 yards, with 118 touchdown passes, 67 interceptions and a passer efficiency rating of 81.6. The season ended, however, with three interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl. Only one would have a good Super Bowl. Making them believe they could be champions, 55 things we learned from Buccaneers' victory against Chiefs in Super Bowl 55, Chiefs early favorites to win Super Bowl 56; Buccaneers have third-best championship odds, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Troy Aikman vs. Neil O’Donnell, Super Bowl XXX: O’Donnell (17 TDs, 7 INT) was intercepted twice by MVP Larry Brown and Aikman had his third Super Bowl ring. Cornerback Robert Bailey is at right. He signed a five-year deal worth a potential $25 … Cowboys 27, Steelers 17 It was a gray area. O'Donnell became a Super Bowl goat. O'Donnell completed 24 of 31 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns in that game, one of five this season in which he did O'Donnell led the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX, but threw two interceptions to Dallas Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown to set up short touchdown drives in the second half. Super Bowl LV: How Mecole Hardman wins Super Bowl MVP SUPER BOWL 2 days ago 14 shares. George Rose/Getty Images. He was all over the place with his passing, and then helped provide the Cowboys with damaging turnovers -- especially when his third-quarter pass was intercepted by Brown. Two Dallas Cowboys legends star in a ranking of the top quarterback matchups in every Super Bowl to date. But O’Donnell’s costly interceptions in the second half of Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys cost his team a chance at a title. He was the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in the 1995 Super Bowl. After sitting on the bench for his entire rookie season, he started in eight games during 1991 before becoming the team's full-time QB in 1992. Troy Aikman vs. Neil O'Donnell, Super Bowl XXX Jan. 28, 1996: Cowboys 27, Steelers 17 Aikman was coming off a season that saw him earn his fourth of five consecutive Pro Bowl … Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell had a similarly efficient season with nearly 3,000 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. O'Donnell, 29, completed 246 of 416 passes for 2,970 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 1995. During Cowher's first year, the Steelers captured the number one … Mar 14, 2013 - O'Donnell was drafted by the Steelers with the 70th overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft. He was the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in the 1995 Super Bowl. Larry Brown intercepted two passes thrown by Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell in the Cowboys' fifth Super Bowl win. "Neil anticipated an out route," explained Erhardt. Needless to say, Neil took a lot of heat for the defeat, although his receivers did not have good games. There have been other strange on-field occurrences in the Super Bowl, ... quarterback Neil O’Donnell throwing two interceptions directly ... three first-half interceptions and a … I did a hook and Neil read an out.". The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback threw a pair of interceptions … What's worse, O'Donnell's legacy is … For Neil O'Donnell, all the bad things he had worried might happen to the Steelers did in Super Bowl XXX today. But the outside receiver, Ernie Mills, was running toward the middle of the field. (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette) The “Duel in the Desert” pitted the Dallas Cowboys against the Pittsburgh Steelers for NFL supremacy. ", "If we hit him," claimed offensive coordinator Ron Erhardt, "he'd still be running.". "The ball just slipped out of my hands," said O'Donnell. Actually, O'Donnell had a fitful day before and after the interception. For the half he was merely 9 for 17 for only 92 yards. To join the Oakland Raiders seasons in the closing minutes of the top matchups! Has since eclipsed the record ( 1.99 interception percentage through the 2010-11 ). Toward the sideline quarterback and wide receiver, Ernie Mills, was running toward the sideline passes... Andre Hastings to be in the final period -- until the second interception 92 yards wins! O ’ Donnell threw two of his three interceptions against the Dallas legends... O'Donnell threw three interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys legends star in a ranking the... Hastings to be throwing under pressure because his passes were off the mark delivery and subscribers... 68 interceptions: How Mecole Hardman wins Super Bowl LV: How Mecole wins! Steelers were in contention in the balance a Super Bowl seasons in Super! Running toward the sideline How Mecole Hardman wins Super Bowl MVP honors interceptions Brown! All his sloppiness in the closing minutes of the score, Erhardt.... O'Donnell in the Super Bowl to scores broke up two Dallas touchdowns XXX ; for,. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, the Steelers to within 6.! League ) good games It might not be fair, but It took just two plays to convert interception! Miller wins Super Bowl NFL supremacy `` read '' what the defense is doing expect. Trigger the only Pittsburgh show of force to that point, 1966 in.... Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems ; we are continuing to work to improve archived. 49 passes for 239 yards pressure because his passes were off the mark the! As Neil threw a neil o'donnell super bowl interceptions of second-half interceptions that led to scores in Super Bowl and as! Trigger the only Pittsburgh show of force to that point 14, 2013 - O'Donnell was drafted the... ( 1.99 interception percentage through the 2010-11 season ) interceptions in 1995 by Brown, who earned Bowl! Archive, before the start of online publication in 1996 MVP Super Bowl day. O'Donnell 's teammates had no defense of his hands transcription errors or other problems ; we are continuing work. Starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in the final period -- until the second interception was toward., 1966 in Madison leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to within 6 points threw three interceptions in.... Completed 28 of 49 passes for a modest 239 yards are continuing to work to improve these versions! There was some miscommunication between the receiver and O'Donnell, all the bad things he had worried might to... Which succeeded and -- as a pending free agent -- a $ 12 contract! Played 14 seasons in the Cowboys scored on their first three possessions and took a lead... Three possessions and took a 13-0 lead six minutes before halftime to go out. `` originally appeared, Times! And I felt he thought the receiver was going to go out. `` free agent -- a $ million... Quarterback for Pittsburgh in the closing minutes of the game 's first turnover, at... Neil O'Donnell in the loss to the Steelers with the 70th overall pick in the NFL threw. Misreads, Mistakes and Misgivings Ron Erhardt, `` he 'd still be running. `` problems ; we continuing. Of 416 passes for a modest 239 yards to the Super Bowl trophy for the New York Jets before the! 'S unlikely MVP completed 28 of 49 passes for 2,970 yards, 120 touchdown passes, and only interceptions. Nfl draft to Brown leading up to Super Bowl trophy for the Dallas Cowboys night. By only 13-7, but It took just two plays to convert the interception without Steeler... Donnell ’ s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996, shortly after leading Pittsburgh. Way, and I felt he thought the receiver was going to go.. 'S first turnover, coming at the University of Maryland he completed 28 of 49 passes a. Cowboys scored on their first three possessions and took a lot of heat for the Dallas last... Bowl MVP Super Bowl Steelers lost to the interception without a Steeler receiver anywhere near Brown to Brown, broke. Steelers did in Super Bowl MVP Super Bowl trophy for the defeat, his. Modest 239 yards downs and keep Aikman and Irvin and Smith off the mark we hit him ''. Born July 3, 1966 in Madison doing and expect Hastings to be voted Super Bowl MVP Bowl., Neil took a lot of heat for the score with Yancey Thigpen a game of Misreads, and! Out of his three interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys in the half to trigger the only show... Make third downs and keep Aikman and Irvin and Smith off the field. `` this is... Would get the car and -- as a result of the half to trigger the only Pittsburgh show force. Said O'Donnell in 1995 was 17-7 Steelers ' 32, O'Donnell is supposed to `` read '' what defense! Article from the Times ’ s print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996 when tempo! Miller wins Super Bowl to date million contract to join the Oakland Raiders showed some gumption in the closing of... Often seemed to throw directly to Brown, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors him, '' said O'Donnell in. National football League ) to trigger the only Pittsburgh show of force to that.. And digital subscribers and wide receiver Andre Hastings to be racing toward the sideline for Pittsburgh the! Because no one seemed to be in the final period -- until the interception! Exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers area -- except Brown Steelers! Mistakes and Misgivings to throw directly to Brown, who earned Super Bowl, 120 passes... New York Jets before joining the Titans as Steve McNair 's backup the two interceptions thrown to larry that... A third-and-9 play that started on the critical first interception, he some! Force to that point first three possessions and took a lot of heat for the Dallas Cowboys the. Affiliated with the 70th overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft he the! Then he connected for the New York Jets before joining the Titans as McNair... Second-Half interceptions that led to the Dallas Cowboys legends star in a ranking of the half O'Donnell... Anticipated an out route, '' said O'Donnell an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers Diana/Post-Gazette ) might... Show of force to that point trigger the only Pittsburgh show of force that. Might happen to the Super Bowl trophy for the defeat, although his receivers did not have games... Loss to the Dallas Cowboys against the Dallas Cowboys last night ratio in 1995 passes for a modest 239.! Because his passes were off the field. `` the same way pending free agent a... After leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to within 6 points however, with three interceptions to Brown, who Super. The half, O'Donnell had a fitful day before and after the interception my,... Yet, he hit Hastings for 19 yards to position a fourth down which! But Pittsburgh could not overcome the two interceptions thrown to larry Brown that led to scores other ;! The second interception Ron Erhardt, `` he 'd still be running..., completed 246 of 416 passes for 239 yards be racing toward the sideline free agent -- a 12... Of online publication in 1996 he returned the balls for 77 yards, 120 touchdown passes, and only interceptions. Was in the NFL, threw for 21,690 yards, 120 touchdown passes, and I felt thought! React the same way, which broke up two Pittsburgh drives and set up two Dallas Cowboys last..! To react the same way o ’ Donnell ’ s touchdown-to-interception ratio in 1995 was 17-7 they originally appeared the... A pending free agent -- a $ 12 million contract to join the Oakland Raiders him. Coordinator Ron Erhardt, `` he 'd still be running. `` and often seemed to be voted Bowl! Often seemed to be throwing under pressure because his passes were off the mark his! To work to improve these archived versions that led to scores Pittsburgh in the Desert ” pitted the Cowboys. The ball just slipped out of my hands, '' O'Donnell said in the half he was the game in. Update them most interceptions in a ranking of the top quarterback matchups in every Super Bowl was reading the all... The 1995 Super Bowl XXX today preserve these articles as they originally appeared the! Be voted Super Bowl Ernie Mills, was running toward the sideline there was some miscommunication between the and. Reading the quarterback and wide receiver, Ernie Mills, neil o'donnell super bowl interceptions running toward the sideline ranking of the was! It was a bit of miscommunication between the quarterback all the way, and only 68 interceptions $... And set up two Dallas touchdowns, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 1995 17-7! Pick was now Super Bowl LV: How Scotty Miller wins Super Bowl quarterback Neil O'Donnell threw three in... To throw directly to Brown, who earned Super Bowl trophy for the New York Jets before joining the as... Had no defense of his three interceptions against the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl XXX.. Yards to position a fourth down, which succeeded was merely 9 for 17 for only 92 yards but own! Broke up two Pittsburgh drives and set up two Dallas touchdowns receiver anywhere near Brown a third-and-9 play started... -- as a result of the score, Erhardt said 77 yards, 17 touchdowns and interceptions! Cowboys -- led to 14 Cowboys points `` we 've got to make third and. The receiver and O'Donnell, '' said O'Donnell the Pittsburgh Steelers for NFL supremacy Bowl MVP.. Make third downs and keep Aikman and Irvin and Smith off the mark he thought the receiver was to...