The Steelers have a long history of memorable moments throughout the years, and during the 2025 season we are going to highlight those moments against each week's opponent.
This week, we feature the Cincinnati Bengals at home.
Steelers 16, Cincinnati Bengals 7
October 7, 2001
This wasn't supposed to be a historic date in Heinz Field history. It wasn't supposed to be the date the first regular season game was played at Heinz Field.
But after the team's Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, which was to have been played on Sept. 16, 2001 at Heinz Field, was postponed because of the September 11 attacks, that October date became the date of the first regular season game at the team's shiny, new home.
And what a game it was, as the Steelers christened Heinz Field by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, 16-7.
With a backdrop of American flags waving during pregame and national pride at a peak, the Steelers knew they had a job to do.
"The atmosphere was kind of mixed," said Mark Bruener, the former tight end selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft and now a college scout with the team. "There was so much excitement for the opening of the new stadium, but there was sadness because of the events that happened on September 11. We, as the NFL and a team, looked at that opportunity to not celebrate ourselves, or open Heinz Field as a stadium, but rather make our city an example to the country of our solitude to bring us together and show our solidarity with regards to the events that happened in the weeks leading up.
"The halftime, with President (George) Bush addressing the country and that being shown on the scoreboard, that was an example of the country's solidarity. I was happy we were able to show everyone that."
Along with that pride in the country was also a feeling of fear, and Bruener and his teammates knew the one thing they had to do was play without fear.
Running back Jerome Bettis delivered, just like you would expect. Bettis, who was acquired by the Steelers via a trade in 1996 and went on to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame selection, carried the ball 23 times for 153 yards, including a 48-yard run, and had amassed 103 yards by halftime.
It was a rather nondescript three-yard carry in the first quarter that provided the first great memory in Heinz Field history when Bettis eclipsed the 10,000-yard mark for his career, becoming the 14th player in NFL history to do so at the time.
The joy it brought the team, and even more the fans, even if for just three hours, was huge.
"We knew going into the game he was going to be close to the mark," said Bruener. "For him to achieve that unique mark in the first game at Heinz Field, it was exhilarating for all of us. To be a teammate of his and know that you were a teammate of a future Hall of Fame running back at the time and him achieve that, it was really special."
Bettis remembers the moment, the group of fans in the stands holding up the individual numbers to signify 10,000 yards.
"That was sweet," said Bettis. "To have such a memorable moment in the new stadium on a day when people needed something positive. It was like kicking off the stadium and bringing the stadium into the family. It's a new stadium, is it going to work. Then you do something good there and everyone accepts it like home. It was a good way to welcome Heinz Field into the family."