The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t like most of us. I’m referring to the fact that they will not have the night off on Christmas Eve as they’ll be hosting the Las Vegas Raiders for the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. While this game was already going to be special with all the festivities in remembrance of the greatest play in the history of football, it also holds very good fortune for the team who has had success playing on major holidays.
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Steelers And Their Holiday Hardhats
Saturday night won’t be the first time the team has suited up for the holiday season. In 2016, the Steelers welcomed the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas where they handed them a lump of coal, beating them 31-27. The following year, Pittsburgh took the sleigh ride to Houston where they demolished the Houston Texans 34-6.
Pittsburgh also has a history of playing on Thanksgiving. One of my personal favorite matchups was in 2016 when the “Killer B’s” of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium and the Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 28-7.
Photo Credit: Steelers.com
Pittsburgh was originally supposed to play the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving in 2020, but the game was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. However, the two teams did play on December 2nd for a Wednesday night matchup, only the second time a game had been played on a Wednesday night since 1949. The team would later be victorious, winning 19-14.
Last but not least, there’s playing on New Year’s Day. There have been many instances of this occurring, and it turns out that the Steelers are one of the teams that will be in action on that day this season. They will be traveling to Baltimore for Week 17.
Steelers Players' Thoughts On Christmas
As previously stated, Pittsburgh won’t be getting time off for Christmas Eve. When it comes to playing in the NFL or being a professional athlete in any sport, you might have to work during the holidays. However, it’s one of those things you know about when you sign up for that special Steelers lifestyle.
“It’s part of the job description that we are gonna work (nontraditional days)," Steelers Center Mason Cole said.
Just like everyone else, Cole would probably prefer to spend his holiday at home with his family, especially his young son. However, Cole also knows that he needs to play in order to help provide for his family. He understands that all the hard work he puts in now will pay off in the end.
“I get to see (my son) a little bit in the morning (on Christmas Eve),” Cole said, smiling. “Luckily, he’s only two so he won’t even know (dad will be gone). Hopefully, I make enough money and get out of this place and can spend a lot of birthdays with him going forward.”
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 02: Mason Cole #61 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The holidays can affect people in many different ways. We described family man Mason Cole and how things would be at his house this Christmas, but not everyone has a child waiting for them to come home from work. Some people can have a more relaxed and quiet evening instead. One example is Pittsburgh's left Guard Kevin Dotson.
“I wasn’t gonna be doing anything anyway,” Dotson said of Christmas Eve. “So I don’t mind playing. We get Sunday off, I kind of like that.”
This Saturday will be the Steelers' second Christmas Eve game during the 16-year career of Pittsburgh's Head Coach Mike Tomlin. For all-time history, the team is 4-4 when facing off on Christmas Eve, including 1-1 at home. The hope is that the Steelers' record will improve to 5-4 all-time and 2-1 at home this Saturday against the Raiders.
How do you feel about the Steelers playing on major holidays? Let us know in the comments section.
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