In the annals of Pittsburgh Steelers recent history, one play stands out as a defining moment of embarrassment and disappointment for former fullback Roosevelt Nix. The date was December 23rd, 2018, during Week 16, and the Steelers were facing off against the New Orleans Saints.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Roosevelt Nix
With just four minutes left in the game and a precarious 28-24 lead against the Saints, the Steelers made a controversial decision to attempt a fake punt from their own 42-yard line.
Steelers' Fake Punt Goes Wrong
As the play unfolded, Nix, tasked with executing the fake punt, received the snap and embarked on a critical run for a first down. Despite his efforts, Nix fell short by a yard. However, in the heat of the moment, Nix believed he had successfully gained the necessary yardage. His premature celebration, coupled with the Steelers being marked short, created an embarrassing spectacle on the field.
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Steelers former FB Roosevelt Nix
In a candid discussion on the Arthur Moats Experience, Nix shared his perspective on the ill-fated play. Reflecting on the meticulous preparation leading up to the game, Nix expressed his disappointment at falling short when it mattered most. He recounted how he believed he had executed the play as planned, only to be thwarted at the last moment by a defender's unexpected move.
"When you talking about running fakes and stuff, you work on it all week, everybody knows it's coming, everybody knows what time it is. We practiced that joint all week, man, we knew it was time to go. And when that joint got called, the defender did everything we thought he was gonna do until the last second. I thought I had it, it didn't help when I had Jordan Dangerfield screaming in my ear.”
The aftermath of the play was not only disappointing but also humbling for Nix. Amidst the jubilant celebrations of his teammates and the encouragement from fellow players like Jordan Dangerfield, Nix found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
"All I hear are people celebrating, I'm like people celebrating, Dangerfield screaming "You got it' I'm like, Oh, it's time for me to show out. We in the zone, TV on me, I finna get some camera time.' And it was like, short. I'm like, 'Oh, I'm the biggest a**hole."
As the reality of his failure sank in, Nix acknowledged the humbling nature of the experience, recognizing it as a lesson in resilience and humility.
"When you try and show out and try and you try to show your a**, man, stuff like that's gonna happen to you. It's humbling. That's how you get humbled.”
The consequences of the failed fake punt were significant, extending beyond mere embarrassment for Nix. The subsequent scoring drive by the Saints and their eventual victory dealt a decisive blow to the Steelers' playoff aspirations for the 2018 season. The loss served as a stark reminder of the fine margins that separate success from failure in the NFL.
Despite the infamous moment, Nix enjoyed a respectable career as a fullback in the NFL, particularly during his five-year tenure with the Steelers. Known for his hard work and dedication, Nix earned a Pro Bowl nod during his time in the league. While he may not have been a headline-grabbing player, Nix's contributions in the blocking game were invaluable to the Steelers' success. Nix retired from the NFL in 2021.
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Steelers Alejandro Villanueva, David Decastro, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell, and Roosevelt Nix at the Pro Bowl
In hindsight, the decision to execute the fake punt in such a pivotal moment of the game may have been ill-advised. However, Nix's experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the importance of composure under pressure. While the blame for the failed play cannot solely be attributed to Nix, he acknowledges that celebrating prematurely was a lapse in judgment.
The tale of Nix and the infamous fake punt serves as a cautionary reminder of the highs and lows inherent in professional sports. Despite the embarrassment and disappointment of that moment, Nix's resilience and humility shine through as enduring qualities. As he aptly summarizes, "That's how you get humbled"—a lesson learned not only on the field but in life itself.
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