Did a Priest Help the Pittsburgh Steelers Make it to the Playoffs?

The Pittsburgh Steelers were an unlikely team to make it into the playoffs, but there they are. While they have a winning record, they were hardly seen as a dominating force during the regular season. Now, as they head into a wildcard game against the Houston Texans next week, everyone is still talking about how the team ended up where they are. Reportedly, a priest might have had a helping hand in propelling the Pittsburgh Steelers into the playoffs. It apparently wouldn’t be the first time the Steelers turned to the clergy for a little help.

A viral video shows a priest blessing the field at Acrisure Stadium ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win

The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to the playoffs thanks to a very unlucky kick by the Baltimore Ravens’ rookie kicker. A missed field goal as the final seconds of the fourth quarter wound down punched the team’s ticket, but fans don’t think it was the Ravens’ lack of luck that led to the missed kick. In fact, they think divine intervention played a role. A priest was seen blessing the stadium ahead of the team’s last-minute win.

According to several sources, Father Maximilian Maxwell blessed the field at Acrisure Stadium shortly before kickoff. A video of the priest associated with St. Vincent Archabbey sprinkling holy water on the field ahead of the game has gone viral. Some stories suggest Father Maxwell was spotted on the spot of the missed kick, though most videos show him blessing the endzone.

The blessing was not out of the ordinary

While everyone is talking about the most recent blessing from an area priest changing the outcome of the Steelers’ final game of the regular season, the clergyman’s appearance was not out of the ordinary. A clergyman has blessed the team and the field multiple times over the years. In fact, it’s a tradition for the team, whose stadium sits firmly in the Rust Belt. According to CBS News, a priest has been blessing the field at Acrisure Stadium since it opened in 2001. The team’s home stadium was initially known as Heinz Field. Every time the field is resodded, a priest comes out to bless the area and the players.

While fans insist the 2026 blessing led to the Steelers’ nailbiting win on a missed field goal, not everyone is thrilled with the tradition. Fans sounded off on social media after the video went viral. Some argue that the tradition is blasphemous and goes against the church’s teachings. Critics seem to view the blessing of the field as an attempt to secure favorable outcomes. Proponents of the tradition see it as directly tied to well-wishes for the safety of all players. They argue that it includes players on the opposing team.

Regardless of the criticism, it seems the Pittsburgh Steelers will continue the tradition and their deep connection to St. Vincent’s College and the monastery associated with the school. For now, they are focusing on their upcoming wildcard game on January 12.