The Pittsburgh Steelers are well-known for some amazing plays throughout the franchise's history. In their 88 seasons, there have been too many to list - Rocky Blier's Super Bowl Catch, The Immaculate Reception, James Harrison's Super Bowl return and Vance McDonald's stiff arm are just a few.
McDonald played tight end for the Steelers from 2017-2020, primarily as a backup to Jesse James. McDonald spent eight years in the NFL. The first four years came with the San Francisco 49ers. During his career, he had 181 receptions for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns.
While the stats aren't particularly impressive, he had one play that has been permanently seared into the memories of football fans everywhere. His stiff arm of Chris Conte is one to remember. Now one of McDonald's former teammates, Ramon Foster, is reminiscing over what it was like to be on the field during that play.
Steelers Vance McDonald Uses A Monster Stiff Arm To Score
Let's set the stage for this jaw-dropping play.
It was a beautiful Monday Night in September of 2018 and the Steelers had traveled to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There were about five minutes left in the first quarter and Tampa was up 7-6.
The Steelers were a bit backed up into enemy territory when Ben Roethlisberger threw the ball. The play appeared to be a routine pass, under pressure. From then, it went from Roethlisberger to McDonald. The tight end caught the pass in the open field and Conte had a simple task of tackling him. It seems like that should be fairly easy, but it wasn't.
McDonald powered out a stiff arm that threw Conte to the turf and he proceeded to just truck over the top of him on his way 75-yards down the field to the end zone for the touchdown. The Steelers went on to win that game, 30-27.
The only thing that was even more fun to watch than the stiff arm was Cameron Heyward's face in the background.
After the game was over McDonald spoke to reporters and was asked about the play and his thought process during it.
"Punish him...inflict as much force on him as possible...To just crush him. It's what I was aiming for."
Conte, who was already playing with a damaged PCL in his knee, and probably shouldn't have been on the field, ended up with the knee fully injured and it required several weeks of rest.
Foster, who now hosts a podcast called The Ramon Foster Show with DK Pittsburgh Sports, was asked today what it was like to be on the field when that happened. His co-host, Dejan Kovacevic, said this play is one that no one will ever forget.
"We were backed up, close to the end zone," Foster said. "We'd been joking with Vance a lot. We used to say, 'Man I didn't know you could move like that.' You know those comments you make? We used to make them to Vance all the time."
Both Foster and Kovacevic talked about how McDonald was in such incredible shape. Foster said he was just one giant ball of muscle. That's really saying something considering Foster spent over a decade in the NFL and Kovacevic has been a sports reporter for decades.
"One of the most athletic freaks I've ever seen in my life. Just authentically athletic."
Foster said he didn't even realize initially that anything amazing had happened. He thought that the start of the play had gone so badly, as the pocket collapsed around Roethlisberger, that they would be lucky to get a first down.
"We were backed up and honestly I think I might have been in the quarterback's lap, or close to it, or we had missed the block or something crazy went on in the end zone. And we're watching it, he's down the sideline, and we're like 'ok he got the first down, let's move up.' Then you see us all take off after he stiff-armed him. Oh my Gosh! That should be cemented in your memory right there."
Kovacevic says he was so glad that the "Vanimal," which was McDonald's nickname, got this big play because he is such a good guy.
"I know there couldn't have been anybody on the field that would have enjoyed it more than your quarterback though. Because Ben Roethlisberger and Vance were really tight," said Kovacevic.
Do you remember McDonald's stiff arm? Where does it rank for you among great Steelers plays? How surprised were you when McDonald threw Conte down and in order to get the touchdown? Click to
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