I realized that when I mention "Renegade" in my game recaps, some people might not know exactly what I'm talking about. Here, in relatively brief form, is the lore surrounding the Styx song "Renegade" and the Steelers.
The magic began January 5, 2002 during a playoff game against Cleveland. The Browns held a 17-7 halftime lead. By the beginning of the second half they stretched it out to 24-7.
The Steelers were lagging. Their offense was stagnant, as their only points came on an Antwaan Randle El punt return for a touchdown. Their offense stalled again and was forced to punt. During the commercial break, the crew at JumboTron control made a choice that forever changed Pittsburgh history.
As the slow, melodic intro echoed out across the depressed fans, everyone felt the sense of failure. Even the music controller gave up. 45 seconds later, the atmosphere changed. The screams of the song gave fans a needed wake up call, and the stadium became alive with excitement.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The crowd was back in the game, and the team responded. Their defense stopped the Browns. Tommy Maddox followed by leading a 66-yard drive to pay dirt to cut the lead to 24-14.
Pittsburgh ousted Cleveland 22-9 in the fourth quarter. The final quarter was capped off by Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala’s touchdown run and Randle El’s pass to Jerame Tuman for the two-point conversion.
The Steelers would go on to get screwed out of a win in Tennessee the next week. However, the lore of "Renegade" was stuck.
Now, during the third quarter of every Steelers home game, a video compilation of defensive plays are shown with the utter rocking of "Renegade" in the background.
In a recent addition to the tradition, in a game against Baltimore earlier this season, with “Renegade” being played in the background James Harrison sacked Joe Flacco on the first play of scrimmage. Harrison stripped the ball from Flacco resulting in a forced fumble. LaMarr Woodley gave the Steelers possession and returned the fumble for a touchdown.
The song works. Teams have yet to score this year on a drive after "Renegade" is played.
In the latest evolution, the version from the Chargers game, which I must say is the best "Renegade" compilation to date:
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about 1 month ago
Always loved Styx........ Until I heard this song at that game. Now I hate the song.
As a Browns fan, it marked one of the worst games I've ever experienced. So I remember the song quite differently than most. Makes me shudder every time I hear it, and I'm sure it will for as long as I live.
about 1 month ago
Did they play RENEGADE twice that day? Because this is one of my favorite Steelers memories ... and they definitely played it right after ARE threw that 2-point conversion pass to Tuman for the 36-33 lead with 54 seconds left ... you can hear it perfectly on tape, plus, I remember vividly watching the crowd get euphoric when that song started ... it is a classic and a great tradition, for sure.
about 1 month ago
Is this video available to download anywhere? I say many videos of it on youtube with audience noise in the background.
about 1 month ago
im pretty sure the date should be january 5, 2003 because it was the 2002 season therefore the playoffs were in early 2003.. i was there and i was 12 years old... , ive been to every regular season game at heinz field (except 3) and every post season game. Its debatable but, i consider that playoff game against the browns to be one of if not the best/most exciting game played at that stadium so far. Leaving the game chanting cleveland sucks with 60,000 other people... it doesnt get much better than that.
about 1 month ago
They played renegade twice this week against the cowboys, therefore the steelers won. the 2nd time they played it this week marked the 2nd time this season where we scored a defensive touchdown the ensuing drive. This defensive touchdown won us the game. The other occurance was against the ravens on monday night when woodley recovered flaccos fumble for a touchdown
29 days ago
The song was played at Heinz field prior to the Cleveland Playoff game. That might have been the first time they played it twice in a row like that. And it might be the most memorable time as well. It's also not always played in the 3rd quarter as the article suggests.
I love the song and the way it gets the crowd going. I remember the Jets playoff win, the Jaguars playoff loss, the Cleveland playoff loss, and of course last weeks win against the Cowboys as my favorite Renegade moments.
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