Bill Cowher Gambled The Pittsburgh Steelers 1995 Season To Give Legendary Cornerback Rod Woodson A Chance

When it comes to having tough players in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had plenty. Legends like Rocky Bleier, who was wounded in the military, but never gave up on his dream in the NFL. Hines Ward showed toughness day in and day out during his career with the Steelers, and icons like the great Jack Lambert, who stood at 220 pounds and had no front teeth, and still managed to play like a lunatic on the field.

Throughout Steelers history, fans were treated with many moments, such as Ben Roethlisberger staying in the game despite having a broken nose against the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. A moment that gets overlooked was when Rod Woodson would manage to play in Super Bowl XXX despite suffering a torn ACL in Week 1.

A Tough Loss For The Steelers

 He was a Super Bowl Champion when he was with the Ravens, NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993, an 11-time Pro Bowler, Pro and College Football Hall of Fame member, and much more. One of the things that he doesn't get recognized for is the toughness that he brought to the team. Especially what he went through during the team's run to Super Bowl XXX.

Heading into 1995 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers promoted Dick LeBeau to defensive coordinator. Woodson was arguably the Defenses best player heading into that season. That was until he tore his ACL on September 3, 1995. This happened when his foot got caught on the artificial turf at Three Rivers Stadium after trying to make a cut to tackle Barry Sanders. Normally an injury that would require 9-12 months of recovery time it was believed that Woodson would be done for the season. 

Without Woodson, the Steelers hardly missed a beat as they went 11-5 and finished first in the AFC Central. They pushed their way through the playoffs and would make it to the Super Bowl. The Steelers faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in a tough 27-17 loss. Although the game was a tough loss for the Steelers, it was a moral victory for Woodson as he was the first player to ever return in the same season that he had reconstructive knee surgery.

Woodson was limited to just 12 snaps during the game and was used as a third-down guy. His biggest play from the game came from a pass breakup that he had against Michael Irvin. Recently, Woodson was on the All Things Covered podcast with former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden and current Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson. While on there, he spoke about what his health was like during this Super Bowl and how impactful Head Coach Bill Cowher was in the decision process.

"When you hurt your ACL, you're normally better off the next year because your knee is still healing." Woodson then noted, "Bill Cowher letting me play, made our team play with 52 players on the active roster the whole year. Obviously, nobody else got hurt and I got to play in my first Super Bowl."

One of the main reasons why Woodson decided to try and play was that he wasn't sure if he'd ever get the opportunity play in a Super Bowl again. This and a mixture of uncertainty of his future made him decide that it was now or possibly never.

"As a player, you never know when you are going to go to a Super Bowl. The year before, we should have gone, but we lost in that final game. Not knowing my future either, I didn't know I was going to leave Pittsburgh and eventually go somewhere else. At this moment, I just wanted to play with my guys."

Woodson would end up getting another chance and would get his one and only ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV. This would be the cherry on top to what was such a legendary career.

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Was it smart for Woodson to try and play in the Super Bowl? Let me know in the comments below!

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