Twenty years ago, the Steelers were putting the pieces back together again following a disappointing 27-17 Super Bowl XXX loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
It had been the Steelers first Super Bowl appearance in sixteen years, and hopes were riding high for the 1996 season. However, the winds of salary cap change that can often tear apart a team near the top of the NFL mountain blew through the Steel City when quarterback Neil O’Donnell signed a 5-year $25 million dollar contract with the New York Jets.
More unfortunate change occurred that March when second-year running back Bam Morris was found with marijuana in the trunk of his car during an off-season vacation.