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Steelers Flashback: Jerome Bettis’ Final Regular Season Home Game

Sports have a knack for writing storybook ends.

The Week 17 35-21 win over the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field on Jan. 1, 2006 was a storybook ending for Jerome Bettis in front of Steelers fans in his final regular season game of his career.

Bettis, playing his hometown Lions with a playoff berth on the line, rushed for three touchdowns and received a standing ovation as Bill Cowher pulled him from the game late with a playoff berth all but sealed up.

The win-and-in game started fast for the Steelers as dynamic wide receiver Antwaan Randle El returned a three-and-out punt by the Lions for an 81-yard touchdown, staking the Steelers to a 7-0 lead just 1:17 into the regular season finale.