It’s been 19 years since the New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers by two touchdowns in the 2004 AFC Championship Game. And it’s just now being brought up by some former members of the Black and Yellow that New England cheated en route to the victory.
Ben Roethlisberger and Jerome Bettis said during a recent episode of “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” that the Patriots knew exactly what the Steelers’ next move would be in one pivotal point during the game.
“Hey, to be fair, the Patriots cheated,” Roethlisberger said.
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“For sure they did,” Bettis replied. “It’s not even a question in my mind.”
Bettis pointed to a 4th-and-1 where the Patriots called for a timeout. They ended up making a stop on the Steelers, and Bettis believes the Pats were able to plan for it because they knew Pittsburgh’s signs for its play.
“Who normally goes to the sideline on timeouts? The defensive captains, right? They told the nose guard … they pulled him to the sideline,” Bettis said. “Big 400-pound guy, he don’t want to go to the sideline and come all the way back,” Betts said. “What he want to go to the sideline for? …
“… They stopped us on fourth down. That’s a critical play in the game,” he continued. “They had our signs and they called a timeout to get them ready for that play because they knew it was coming. No question in my mind. I remember vividly because I thought, ‘Why is this big dude going to the sideline?’”
Bettis, who didn’t get the yard on the play, fumbled the ball away. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady then hit Deion Branch for a 60-yard touchdown to put New England up 10-0 at the time.
On the 11-degree night in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger threw for two touchdowns and 226 yards. But he also had a fumble and three interceptions. Bettis, meanwhile, ran for 64 yards with a touchdown and a fumble.
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The Patriots went on to win Super Bowl XXXIX — a game they were also accused of cheating in —over the Philadelphia Eagles after claiming the AFC title over the Steelers.
