Indiana Football: Remembering Randle El’s Super Bowl touchdown pass
By Adam Childs
Indiana football alum Antwaan Randle El threw a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL to Hines Ward, helping the Steelers defeat the Seahawks 21-10.
Super Bowl Sunday is upon us and an Indiana alum is getting the chance to play a big part in the game. Tevin Coleman has been the feature back for the 49ers and if he is fully healthy he should play a big part in the big game. Hoosier alums haven’t had the biggest impact in many Super Bowls but it has happened.
Indiana football has not had the best history when it comes to wins and national recognition, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t produced some very good players. Some have even been on Super Bowl-winning teams. Most recently Nate Sudfeld won a ring with the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup quarterback.
Eric Moore was a starting offensive lineman in one of the most memorable Super Bowls ever when Scott Norwood missed a game-winning field goal at the end of the game to give the New York Giants the championship.
With the mild success Hoosiers have had in the Super Bowl, probably the biggest play ever by an Indiana alum was the 43-yard touchdown pass Antwaan Randle El threw to Hines Ward in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XL.
The Seahawks had just cut the lead to 14-10 and the Steelers needed an answer. They looked to the former Indiana quarterback on the reverse pass and he delivered. Randle El took the pitch and rolled right and threw a beautiful pass on the run to hit Ward in stride for the touchdown and the answer the Steelers needed.
It was a surprise to no one that followed Indiana football as they knew the talent that Randle El had passing the ball. While he wasn’t quite good enough to make it as a quarterback in the NFL he still had the ability to make a play as he did in the Super Bowl.
Randle El would also catch thee passes and played a huge impact in the win for the Steelers. Ward would go on to win the Super Bowl MVP, but Pittsburgh wouldn’t have won the game without the play of Randle El.
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Hoosiers fans may not have had much to celebrate on the biggest stage in the NFL but for one night Randle El made them proud.
Indiana fans hope Coleman can have a highlight reel moment in this Super Bowl and help the 49ers to victory, but no matter what they still have this play to remember fondly.