The story behind the Steelers' blessed end zone
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Divine intervention may have saved the Steelers' season.
Why it matters: The Steelers won last Sunday 26-24, propelled to the playoffs after the Baltimore Ravens missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired.
- It felt destined that the Ravens would win the game and make the playoffs instead, but rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed wide right.
The intrigue: Before the game, the Rev. Maximilian Maxwell blessed the field at Acrisure Stadium with holy water in the same end zone where Loop missed the kick.
- Video of the blessing went viral, and yinzers said God must be a Steelers fan.
Yes, but: The Steelers told Axios that blessings are a common occurrence at Acrisure, dating back to when it first opened in 2001.
- "Following the resodding of the field, it is blessed and prayers are offered for the safety and health of all the athletes who compete there," said Steelers spokesperson Cecelia Cagni.
Context: Maxwell is prior of the Archabbey at St. Vincent's in Latrobe.
- The Steelers hold their training camp at adjoining St. Vincent's College every year.
- The Rooneys, the team owners, are devout Catholics.
What they're saying: WTAE spoke briefly with Maxwell on Monday, and he said he's appreciative of the positivity the blessing has brought, but it wasn't specific to last Sunday's game.
- Maxwell did not return Axios' interview request.
Between the lines: It's unclear how often the Steelers typically resod the grass field, but it was resodded at least twice this season.
- In addition to the recent resodding, ESPN reported the field was resodded in October.
- The Packers defeated the Steelers at Acrisure in the first home game following the October resodding.
- The Steelers did not immediately respond to questions about resodding.
The bottom line: We can all hope the last blessing carries some juice over to Monday's matchup against the Houston Texans at Acrisure.
Tickets can be purchased through the Steelers' website.
