Pittsburgh Steelers: The 5 Worst Moments in History to Be a Steelers Fan

Every franchise, regardless of success, has those moments in their past that fans would rather forget. They are the moments, sometimes periods or eras, that nobody involved wants to remember either.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, football's most decorated franchise of the Super Bowl era, have several such moments. They represent the lowest of lows, the greatest of heartbreaks, and the worst eras in the franchise's storied history.

Here are five of the lowest lows, in no particular order. Feel free to leave your own personal franchise lows in the comments section and remind us all of the ones that I've missed or omitted.

5. Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace Fails, Super Bowl XLV

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers is injured as he attempts to break up a pass intended for Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Tex

Why?

Perhaps because it is so fresh, perhaps because everyone was expecting Ben Roethlisberger and his offense to pull of another great escape. This one certainly has a sting to it. The play represents the end of the dream, but in reality the whole game, save for a brief time in the middle when hope glimmered, was an abject disaster.

Maybe it just hurts to remember this as the ending of a season where so many lucky breaks went the team's way and when they battled so much adversity and so many naysayers to reach the title round.

What Happened?

In brief, the Steelers fell behind early and stayed there thanks to three turnovers on offense and a defense that couldn't consistently get themselves off the field against Aaron Rodgers and his stable of weapons. Nevertheless, it came down to the final drive. Unlike the usual result, Ben Roethlisberger couldn't muster up the same old magic and his last-ditch fourth down attempt to Mike Wallace fell harmlessly to the ground.

4. Neil O'Donnell to Larry Brown, Super Bowl XXX

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28 Jan 1996: Quarterback Neil O'Donnell of the Pittsburgh Steelers hands off the ball during Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cowboys won the game, 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

Why?

The Steelers are not and have never been used to losing. In Super Bowls, they were the first team to have four titles. This was the first loss. It hurt for many reasons. It came at the hands of hated Dallas, the egomaniacs of the NFL at the time. It was another game in which the Steelers suddenly found themselves with momentum only to see it snatched away. It also hurts because of the dubious nature of how things unwound.

What Happened?

First to four, the Steelers remained stuck at that number until they finally returned to the title round following the 1995 season. A surprise team to some, the Steelers had also been in the AFC Championship game the year before.

The game was out of hand early, but a steady job by Neil O'Donnell and the Pittsburgh offense, combined with a defense that suddenly regained it's composure, conspired to put the Steelers in range of the lead and their fifth title. And then, O'Donnell threw a pass straight to Larry Brown. Brown bolted away with the ball and with the hopes that Pittsburgh could claim their fifth Super Bowl victory.

3. The 1980s

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23 Sep 1990: Head coach Chuck Noll of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sidelines during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders. The Raiders won the game 20-3.

Why?

Timing is everything in sports. The 1970s were very good to the Steelers, handing them four Super Bowl titles. While the 1980s weren't all bad, coming on the heels of the '70s greatness had to disappoint fans who were expecting things to continue. The Super Steelers fading away also had to sting. All in all, it was just a very empty decade for Steelers fans.

What Happened?

Not much went right after Super Bowl XIV ended in the early days of the decade. High draft choices at quarterback (Mark Malone) and running back (Walter Abercrombie) reminded fans more of what they were missing than of talented football players.

The great players of the 70s retired, Art Rooney passed, and Chuck Noll experienced the decline that follows all great dynasties eventually. All in all, it was a miserable time.

2. Thanksgiving Day in Detroit, 1998

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26 Nov 1998: Running back Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Detroit Lions at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Steelers 19-16.

Why?

Any time a game is lost, it hurts. There are only 16 games in the NFL and every one counts accordingly. It really hurts when the game is lost by a non-play call that is easily prevented. This game stings, and always will, because it also cost the Steelers a playoff appearance. The 1998 season was not especially memorable and is made worse by the memory of a game that could have been won had it not been taken out of the players' hands.

What Happened?

With the score tied after four quarters, the captains gathered for the overtime coin toss. Jerome Bettis called the coin in the air clearly. Phil Luckett retrieved the coin, which had come up in the Steelers' favor. Luckett, however, said that Bettis had not called it that way. He awarded Detroit the toss and the ball. Detroit scored quickly to vanquish the Steelers. Regardless of arguments, Luckett maintained that he was correct. Watch the video of the call and you'll hear he was not.

1. The Pre-Super Steelers Era, 1933-1970

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 1: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks for an open man during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium on November 1, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 34-20.

Why?

In the days before Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Joe Greene, and their comrades, baseball ruled Pittsburgh because the town's professional football squad was almost universally inept. If not for a few winning years sprinkled in with many, many failed years, the Steelers may be the team that holds the record for most consecutive losing seasons.

It hurts because anyone who lived through it either never got to witness winning, championship football in Pittsburgh or had to wait most of a lifetime to see it. If you're looking for a comparison, take the way Pirates fans feel right now and multiply that by four decades. Ouch? You bet.

What Happened?

In short, almost nothing went right. In the late 1930s, the Steelers had a brilliant coach who unfortunately seemed to forget his job. John McNally famously was in the wrong city when his team was playing one day.

The Steelers also managed to pass on legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas. He was viewed as a talented but unintelligent player who was nothing special. Oops.

If that's not enough, consider that the Steelers never won a playoff game during that period and rarely posted a winning record.