1980 Steelers 24 at Bucs 21

[mcmillenandwife]

1980 Steelers 24 at Bucs 21

With their offense weakened by the absence of Franco and nagging injuries to Bradshaw & a host of other Steeler starters, Pittsburgh needs a big game from their defense & special teams to win. They get it. Ham & Shell force an early fumble to set up a FG. Dirt Winston pounces on a blocked punt in the endzone for the Steelers' 1st TD. Ham & Lambert team up to force a Ricky Bell fumble, and with the Bucs threatening at the Steeler 25 late in the game, Joe Greene tips a Doug Williams pass & Donnie Shell makes a great leaping INT at the 10 to save the game. This game footage is spliced from 2 recorded versions. The first section (pregame and early 1st quarter) is from my original "edited huddles" version and then footage provided by Brad Geffers (thank you, Brad!) kicks in with fewer edits an more game footage. 

[Guest]

I can remember 15+ years ago reading through your list of games you owned and would of gave anything to watch them. I then joined your site and had years of fun making friends and talking Steeler football with folks who love them as much as I do.
Love the new format. I found out that you were posting vids from your Youtube channel. Lets hope the shield leaves you alone this time and maybe you can have Sandy start up her Steeler soap business again.

P.s. Both Coke and Pepsi suck and I still think Stallworth was a better receiver than Swann.

Thanks Tim for finally sharing your treasures with us!

Sal

[mcmillenandwife]

I can remember 15+ years ago reading through your list of games you owned and would of gave anything to watch them. I then joined your site and had years of fun making friends and talking Steeler football with folks who love them as much as I do.
Love the new format. I found out that you were posting vids from your Youtube channel. Lets hope the shield leaves you alone this time and maybe you can have Sandy start up her Steeler soap business again.

P.s. Both Coke and Pepsi suck and I still think Stallworth was a better receiver than Swann.

Thanks Tim for finally sharing your treasures with us!

Sal

Good to see you, Sal! Hope you join the board as a member again, man! It's good to see all of you guys again.

Three things:

• Coke rules 
  
• Swann and Stallworth were both incredible, but I give the nod to Swann (so STFU   )
  
• I'm remarried to a wonderful woman named Renee. 
  

[jadentrez]

Wow, I always thought Stallworth was lost for the season in the Colts game. Interesting to see here, he actually came back and made a catch, only to get injured again. Damn. Wonder if maybe he was rushed back into the line up because of the Steelers' growing concerns about the season? What if they had waited a couple of weeks more? We especially could have used him in the Houston game -- Stallworth was always effective against Houston. In hindsight, maybe they should have saved him for that game, but you never know.

[mcmillenandwife]

Wow, I always thought Stallworth was lost for the season in the Colts game. Interesting to see here, he actually came back and made a catch, only to get injured again. Damn. Wonder if maybe he was rushed back into the line up because of the Steelers' growing concerns about the season? What if they had waited a couple of weeks more? We especially could have used him in the Houston game -- Stallworth was always effective against Houston. In hindsight, maybe they should have saved him for that game, but you never know.

jadentrez, I truly apologize, but I inadvertently deleted your account. So sorry! It was based on the country of origin of the I.P. address (I am constantly fighting spam from bots coming from overseas) and I deleted it before realizing you were a legitimate poster. I assume you must be in the military? In any case, I hope you re-register. 

I agree with you on Stallworth; he would've made a HUGE difference in '80. I honestly didn't even realize he played in this game until you mentioned it. 

Again, sorry for the deleting your account! 

[thespiritof1976]

As a Bucs fan I'd love to watch it but damn, that 1980 season was such a disappointment. Doug Williams later remarked that several players were on coke for much of that season and that they had grown lazy after their surprising 1979 season.

Now you know what game I'd love to watch though ? The 1976 Bucs at Steelers game. Of course, unless someone has that in their collection from 40 years ago and has forgotten about it I doubt any of us will ever see it. NBC erased their master tapes from the 1976 season. Dumb!

Then again, the 1983 Bucs and Steelers game would be good too just for the sheer spectacle of seeing the Bucs piss away the game, lol...

[mcmillenandwife]

As a Bucs fan I'd love to watch it but damn, that 1980 season was such a disappointment. Doug Williams later remarked that several players were on coke for much of that season and that they had grown lazy after their surprising 1979 season.

Now you know what game I'd love to watch though ? The 1976 Bucs at Steelers game. Of course, unless someone has that in their collection from 40 years ago and has forgotten about it I doubt any of us will ever see it. NBC erased their master tapes from the 1976 season. Dumb!

Then again, the 1983 Bucs and Steelers game would be good too just for the sheer spectacle of seeing the Bucs piss away the game, lol...

Yeah, 1980 was a frustrating season for Steelers fans, too. 

I didn't know NBC erased the master tapes. Seriously? WHY???? Man... so we'll never get to see the '76 Steelers/Colts playoff game again? 

[thespiritof1976]

As a Bucs fan I'd love to watch it but damn, that 1980 season was such a disappointment. Doug Williams later remarked that several players were on coke for much of that season and that they had grown lazy after their surprising 1979 season.

Now you know what game I'd love to watch though ? The 1976 Bucs at Steelers game. Of course, unless someone has that in their collection from 40 years ago and has forgotten about it I doubt any of us will ever see it. NBC erased their master tapes from the 1976 season. Dumb!

Then again, the 1983 Bucs and Steelers game would be good too just for the sheer spectacle of seeing the Bucs piss away the game, lol...

Yeah, 1980 was a frustrating season for Steelers fans, too. 

I didn't know NBC erased the master tapes. Seriously? WHY???? Man... so we'll never get to see the '76 Steelers/Colts playoff game again? 

Here is another (somewhat related) tidbit: The reason why that 76' game was on NBC and not CBS was b/c the Bucs were in the AFC WEST (!) their first year while Seattle was in the NFC Central.

Of course, today that game would be on FOX since it is an NFC team going to an AFC team but back then ? AFC matchup.

Crazy man.

Here is a tad bit more info from Bucs UK (biggest overseas team fab club in the world):

http://www.bucpower.com/1976game13.htm

(Please note that the box score and full game notes and ply by play is available for download on this page too!)

[thespiritof1976]

As a Bucs fan I'd love to watch it but damn, that 1980 season was such a disappointment. Doug Williams later remarked that several players were on coke for much of that season and that they had grown lazy after their surprising 1979 season.

Now you know what game I'd love to watch though ? The 1976 Bucs at Steelers game. Of course, unless someone has that in their collection from 40 years ago and has forgotten about it I doubt any of us will ever see it. NBC erased their master tapes from the 1976 season. Dumb!

Then again, the 1983 Bucs and Steelers game would be good too just for the sheer spectacle of seeing the Bucs piss away the game, lol...

Yeah, 1980 was a frustrating season for Steelers fans, too. 

I didn't know NBC erased the master tapes. Seriously? WHY???? Man... so we'll never get to see the '76 Steelers/Colts playoff game again? 

Same reason why the networks erased their master tapes of Super Bowl's I and II as well as the Apollo 11 moon landing.

From what I understand, those master tapes were BIGTIME EXPENSIVE!!! (I mean, REALLY costly) and they simply taped over them due to the cost.

However, as I understand it, CBS did elect to keep their master tape of the Apollo 11 moon landing due to the historical importance. Which is why it is available in such length and entirety.

HOWEVER - Some people were able to record these events, which is why there is a copy of Super Bowl I out there that the NFL is low-balling the private owner on.

Although costing at least $20,000.00 back then, there were recording devices that were the precursor to the VCR.

Here is one last tidbit: Have you noticed why so many NFL games available on YT start from the 1977 season ? Why is that ? Because the VCR was first sold at commercial retail during the Christmas shopping season in December, 1976.

True story....even from a skeezy Bucs fan...

[thespiritof1976]

As a Bucs fan I'd love to watch it but damn, that 1980 season was such a disappointment. Doug Williams later remarked that several players were on coke for much of that season and that they had grown lazy after their surprising 1979 season.

Now you know what game I'd love to watch though ? The 1976 Bucs at Steelers game. Of course, unless someone has that in their collection from 40 years ago and has forgotten about it I doubt any of us will ever see it. NBC erased their master tapes from the 1976 season. Dumb!

Then again, the 1983 Bucs and Steelers game would be good too just for the sheer spectacle of seeing the Bucs piss away the game, lol...

Yeah, 1980 was a frustrating season for Steelers fans, too. 

I didn't know NBC erased the master tapes. Seriously? WHY???? Man... so we'll never get to see the '76 Steelers/Colts playoff game again? 

Ok, I broke down tonight and watched the game. Glad I did although it was a loss.

My first reactions:

1.) Damn, that stadium was loud -or- maybe it was the parabolic thing-a-mah-jiggers- that reflect the roar of the crowd. Some of the ambience gets lost in today's TV broadcasts.

2.) Tampa Stadium was called "The Big Sombrero" not only due to its shape but due to its rowdy, fiesta-like atmosphere.

3.) The little things the Bucs did to win games like this in 1979, 1981, and 1982 they DID NOT DO in 1980 - and that is why it is a close loss instead of a close win.

4.) The depth and experience of the Steelers prevailed in the end (In other words, they knew how to win).

5.) Merlin Olsen, for FTD flowers.

[mcmillenandwife]

5.) Merlin Olsen, for FTD flowers.

Merlin Olsen was THE best.  

[Garrett Garlits]

Madden may have known more inside football, and Pat Summerall had the pipes that wouldn't quit, but from a fan's "who would you rather invite over to watch a game with you?" standpoint, I'll take Merlin and Dick Enberg any time. Dick seemed to be having a blast no matter what he called, and Merlin was just an all-around good man who also happened to know the game, which came through loud and clear in the booth.

[mcmillenandwife]

Madden may have known more inside football, and Pat Summerall had the pipes that wouldn't quit, but from a fan's "who would you rather invite over to watch a game with you?" standpoint, I'll take Merlin and Dick Enberg any time. Dick seemed to be having a blast no matter what he called, and Merlin was just an all-around good man who also happened to know the game, which came through loud and clear in the booth.

That is just perfectly said.        

And when you think about it, that's really what we were doing: inviting them into our homes to watch the game with us.

[Crash]

My favorite play by play guys in any sports outside of Pittsburgh guys were Dick Enberg and Merlin calling NFL football and Gary Thorne calling hockey on ESPN. Thorne could make a funeral seem exciting.

[thespiritof1976]

Madden may have known more inside football, and Pat Summerall had the pipes that wouldn't quit, but from a fan's "who would you rather invite over to watch a game with you?" standpoint, I'll take Merlin and Dick Enberg any time. Dick seemed to be having a blast no matter what he called, and Merlin was just an all-around good man who also happened to know the game, which came through loud and clear in the booth.

That is just perfectly said.        

And when you think about it, that's really what we were doing: inviting them into our homes to watch the game with us.

When I was a little kid Merlin Olsen was the guy from "Little House on the Prairie". I didn't even know he was a football player (and a damn good one too) until a few years later.

Enberg was pure class but you know who was my favorite ?

Charlie Jones and Bob Trumpy.

Jones had a voice of silk. Smooth as velvet.

[mcmillenandwife]

When I was a little kid Merlin Olsen was the guy from "Little House on the Prairie". I didn't even know he was a football player (and a damn good one too) until a few years later.

Enberg was pure class but you know who was my favorite ?

Charlie Jones and Bob Trumpy.

Jones had a voice of silk. Smooth as velvet.

As a Bucs fan, I can see you liking Trumpy. But Trumpy was a former Bengal and as such, he had a thinly veiled hatred (based in envy) of the Steelers and we had a not-so-thinly veiled hatred (based in hatred) of him. 

[Crash]

I couldn't stand Charlie Jones for his laughing while talking habit.

Greg Brown does it constantly on Pirates games now.

Merlin and Enberg were the best. Surprised NBC kept using Sam Nover for Steelers games because he couldn't contain his homer demeanor.

[Garrett Garlits]

Charlie didn't laugh while talking; that was just his voice and how it came across. He was probably the second-best play-by-play guy NBC ever had behind Enberg. Criqui was better in big moments, but Charlie was consistently good for a much longer period of time.

I liked Sam too. I'm guessing that NBC used him for so many Steeler games specifically BECAUSE he was a homer (he still worked for WIIC, as it was then known, for most of his network career) and because he knew the team so well. Anyway, as a Steeler fan why would it matter to you if he was a homer? I would think people who like the Steelers would want to hear a broadcast that was favorable toward them, as long as the broadcaster could describe the action competently.

[danderson400]

Charlie didn't laugh while talking; that was just his voice and how it came across. He was probably the second-best play-by-play guy NBC ever had behind Enberg. Criqui was better in big moments, but Charlie was consistently good for a much longer period of time.

I liked Sam too. I'm guessing that NBC used him for so many Steeler games specifically BECAUSE he was a homer (he still worked for WIIC, as it was then known, for most of his network career) and because he knew the team so well. Anyway, as a Steeler fan why would it matter to you if he was a homer? I would think people who like the Steelers would want to hear a broadcast that was favorable toward them, as long as the broadcaster could describe the action competently.

Didn't Ray Scott do some NBC games in 88? He did a Raiders-Oilers game. Kevin Slaten did the Bengals-Eagles game the same week. I had both on at the same time thnaks to the big dish i had at the time.

[thespiritof1976]

Charlie didn't laugh while talking; that was just his voice and how it came across. He was probably the second-best play-by-play guy NBC ever had behind Enberg. Criqui was better in big moments, but Charlie was consistently good for a much longer period of time.

I liked Sam too. I'm guessing that NBC used him for so many Steeler games specifically BECAUSE he was a homer (he still worked for WIIC, as it was then known, for most of his network career) and because he knew the team so well. Anyway, as a Steeler fan why would it matter to you if he was a homer? I would think people who like the Steelers would want to hear a broadcast that was favorable toward them, as long as the broadcaster could describe the action competently.

Didn't Ray Scott do some NBC games in 88? He did a Raiders-Oilers game. Kevin Slaten did the Bengals-Eagles game the same week. I had both on at the same time thnaks to the big dish i had at the time.

Ray Scott certainly got around. He was the Bucs radio PBP guy in 76', did NFL Films narration from time to time and called games here and there....

[mcmillenandwife]

Merlin and Enberg were the best.  

Period.