Super Bowl XLIII (2009) Second Half Only.HDTV.Avi

Super Bowl XLIII (2009) Second Half Only.HDTV.Avi

With only 35 seconds left to play, viewers of Superbowl Fouty-Three witnessed one of the most thrilling finishes ever of the NFL Superbowl championship title game (certainly equaling last year's upset by the New York Giants - but this one was even wilder).

The Pittsburgh Steelers (15-4), playing in their second Super Bowl in four seasons, led 20-7 in the fourth quarter, only to see Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals stage a remarkable rally to go in front 23-20. The Cardinals (12-8-1) were playing in their first Super Bowl game ever. Warner hit All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald in stride for a 64-yard touchdown with 2:37 minutes left in the game. Fitzgerald sped down the middle of the field, watching himself outrun the Steelers on the end zone’s huge video screen.

… And then …. with waves of twirling Terrible Towels turning Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium into a black-and-gold tableau — Steelers fans supporting their beloved team, the economy be damned — Pittsburgh's offense took over in an effort to capture the title of “2009 Superbowl Champions”.

The stunning swings in the second half overshadowed Pittsburgh’s James Harrison's record 100-yard interception return for a touchdown to end the first half (which video starts this clip). That looked like the signature play of the game until the final quarter, when both teams shook off apparent knockout punches to throw haymakers of their own.

After it was all over, National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell named this game among the all-time greats. "It was a performance for the ages, a back and forth game and something we will always remember," Goodell said. "It was really something to marvel at."

If you don’t know how the game ended --- or you do, and just want to see the thrilling finish and some of the most spectacular plays in Super Bowl history again --- watch this video!