In the third game of the 1976 season, second-year Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan did what was, at the time, unthinkable. He led New England into Pittsburgh and put up 257 yards passing and 33 yards rushing against the defending champs and one of the NFL’s all-time great defenses, pushing the Patriots to a 30-27 win. It was a breakthrough for Grogan, and after the game, owner Billy Sullivan stopped by his locker and handed him a cigar.
Venerable Steelers owner Art Rooney had given Sullivan the cigar to congratulate him on the win. Sullivan was now giving it to Grogan.