As it is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ bye week, I thought I would take a look at one of the most iconic photos of football that represents a true image of the game. Photographers have recorded many memorable moments of sporting history, and this one was taken in Pittsburgh.
With the evolution of cameras into the digital age, it is easy to forget about those early photography days. Before the photographer could appreciate his efforts, he would have to go back to his dark room to develop the film. It was only then he could appreciate the value of his work.
The one football picture that captured my imagination is the iconic photo of New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle taken by Morris Berman for the Post-Gazette. It is an image that truly reflects the pain of defeat, so I decided to explore the 1964 Steelers game when it was taken.
Tittle may have been in the twilight of his 17-year playing career, but he had kept the Giants at a high level leading them to three straight Eastern division titles when he entered his final season.
The previous year, the Steelers had shut out a Giants team that played without Tittle, who had been banged up in their previous game. A record-breaking crowd of 46,068 turned out for the Steelers home opener and were not disappointed with a 31-0 victory.
Although the Steelers had not managed a division title since 1947, under Coach Buddy Parker they managed to post back-to-back winning seasons. When the 1964 began, the fans were expecting more success from their team.
Both teams suffered losses on the opening day. The Giants were thrashed by the Eagles 38-7. They spent the week in training focussing on their pass protection after Tittle was sacked five times while throwing two interceptions. The Giants were hoping that the return of wide receiver Del Shofner, who missed the Philadelphia game through injury, would aid their offense.
Steelers’ Ed Brown threw three interceptions in the team’s 26-14 loss to the L.A. Rams. Art Rooney was unimpressed by their performance and suggested it was the worst game he had ever seen… by both teams. The Steelers turned the ball over eight times including five fumbles so ball security would be the team’s top priority in training the week before the Giants game.
The Giants opened the scoring after returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. Before the first quarter finished, they had doubled their advantage. It was another interception leading to a touchdown. Having seen enough from their 35-year quarterback Ed Brown, the Steelers’ fans began to boo.
The series of photos showing Tittle’s injury were taken in the second quarter. The graphic description in the Pittsburgh Press tells the story of the hit that brought about the dramatic image:
John Baker struck a blow for the Steelers cause when he put Tittle out of commission. On a screen pass play deep in Giant territory, Baker stormed in on Tittle from his defensive left end position.
“I came right in on him and put my forearm up as he went to throw the ball,” Baker said. The result was a crashing right to Tittle’s jaw and a t
ouchdown for the Steelers when tackle Chuck Hinton picked the ball out of the air and ambled into the end zone.
Tittle’s pass was intended for future football announcer Frank Gifford. Hinton rose above the receiver to haul in the interception which he returned it 8 yards for the score before Mike Clark’s extra point attempt failed.
Tittle was badly bruised suffering rib injuries and New York was forced to replace him with Gary Wood. The momentum of the game turned when Wood then threw an interception to Brady Keys.
With the Steelers back on offense, Brown who had previously not managed to complete one of his five pass attempts, hit Ballman with a 40-yard toss. The completion moved Pittsburgh to New York’s six. John Henry Johnson’s 2-yard touchdown run finished the drive and saw the Steelers pull within a point of their opponents as the teams went into the locker room at half time.
The Steelers came alive at the beginning of the second half. Brown led his team 67 yards in eight plays finishing with his 2-yard touchdown run. The Steelers were ahead for the first time in the game, but not for long.
New York’s Dick James replied with a 2-yard touchdown to put his team back in front.
Taking that slender lead into the final period, New York was stunned by a 90-yard punt return by Keys that broke his own Steelers’ record.
Crediting blocks by Marv Woodson and Ben McGee for springing him loose, Brady said he should have made a fair catch because he was surrounded by Giants players. “But I gambled I could get away,” Brady admitted, and it certainly paid off.
Brady was pushed out of bounds one yard short of the goal line, but his return set up the Steelers’ victory after Brown plunged over for a 1-yard touchdown.
Although the Steelers triumphed 27-24, they would finish the season with a disappointing 5-9 record.
The game would have long disappeared into the mist of the Same Old Steelers narrative except for that magical image captured by Morris Berman.
Tittle would return the following week to lead his team to a win over the Redskins, but it would be one of the just two victories the Giants would see in his final year. He was replaced by Wood as the Giants’ starter before the season finished.
