Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell makes potential play of the season vs. Lions

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 21, 2025 8:21 PM ET

Submit Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell's absurd Week 16 touchdown catch for the best play of the 2025 NFL season.

At the end of the second quarter in Pittsburgh's road game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers heaved a deep pass to the RB. During the play, Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone shoved him and was flagged for defensive pass interference. That still didn't stop Gainwell from catching the pass.

While falling to the ground, Gainwell secured the ball. He then popped back on his feet and scored a touchdown, helping the Steelers tie the game at 10-10 before halftime.

The play proved pivotal in the Steelers' 29-24 win. Pittsburgh is now 9-6 and one step closer to clinching the AFC North. The catch could certainly go down as the best of the 2025 season, as many fans have never seen anything like it. Or have they?

WHAT A CATCH BY KENNETH GAINWELL

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/l0MrWcXZ1s
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 21, 2025

Is Kenneth Gainwell's catch the first of its kind?

Longtime NFL fans may watch Gainwell's catch and be reminded of the grab former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman made on "Monday Night Football" on Nov. 6, 2000. In overtime, former Packers QB Brett Favre launched a deep pass to the WR on a 3rd-and-4. The ball landed on his shoulder before he caught it and scored the winning TD, securing a 26-20 victory for the Packers.

The play has now become synonymous with longtime broadcaster Al Michaels' call.

"He did what?" Michaels said while watching the replay.

25 years ago. Antonio Freeman. "HE DID WHAT!"

Best catch in #Packers HISTORY??? pic.twitter.com/s2AALdg8nv
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) November 7, 2025

Which catch was better? You be the judge. Regardless, Gainwell's grab could be the best of the 2025 season. And it will probably be the best the fifth-year RB out of Memphis makes in his career.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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