New Orleans’ third Super Bowl saw the end of an era and the beginning of a dynasty.
Although it remained standing for several more years, Tulane Stadium hosted its last Super Bowl on January 12, 1975, when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6 and launched a Super Bowl legacy.
Shreveport native and Louisiana Tech alum Terry Bradshaw quarterbacked the Steelers to their first of six Vince Lombardi trophies in Super Bowl IX.
Much like New Orleans’ past Super Bowls, both teams were sluggish on offense early in the game.
The only score in the first half occurred when Steelers defensive end Dwight White tackled Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the end zone for a safety.
Steelers running back Franco Harris scored the game’s first touchdown in the third quarter on a 9-yard run. Harris rushed for an eye-popping 158 yards and earned MVP honors.
Minnesota was unable to score any offensive points against a Steelers defense that featured a ridiculous wealth of talent including four eventual Hall of Famers: linebackers Jack Lambert and Jack Ham, cornerback Mel Blount and defensive tackle “Mean Joe” Greene.
Vikings defender Terry Brown recovered a blocked Steelers punt in the end zone for Minnesota’s lone score.
Minnesota’s defense managed to keep the game close, but Pittsburgh pulled away late in the fourth quarter on four-yard touchdown pass from Bradshaw to tight end Larry Brown. Pittsburgh safety Mike Wagner intercepted Tarkenton on the ensuing possession to ice the game for the Steelers.
The victory was the first of four Super Bowl titles for Bradshaw and Steelers head coach Chuck Noll, and the third of four Super Bowl losses for the Vikings.
Notes: John Gilliam, who scored a kickoff return touchdown for the New Orleans Saints on the opening play of the first ever Saints game in 1967, started at wide receiver for the Vikings in Super Bowl IX.