When the Pittsburgh Steelers play any game in the AFC North , it is always a battle and a massive rivalry. Let's go back to 1983 when the Steelers were part of the Central division, facing off against the Cincinnati Bengals. Over the years, matchups between the Bengals and Steelers have been characterized by explosive hits, dirty plays, and intense competition.
Both teams harbor a deep-seated animosity for each other. On October 10, 1983, the Steelers defeated the Bengals 24-14 at Riverfront Stadium. During that game, Pittsburgh recorded nine sacks against the Bengals.
Bengals quarterback, Ken Anderson, endured a brutal beating. In the first quarter, as Anderson prepared to pass, Steelers' Keith Gary chased him down, grabbed his face mask, and twisted his helmet 180 degrees. Anderson was injured and taken to the hospital, where it was discovered he had sprained his neck.
Gary celebrated while Anderson lay on the field, sparking fury among several Bengals players, who stated that Gary’s malicious act should have led to his ejection. The late Ross Browner, father of the Steelers' former offensive tackle, Max Starks, played for the Bengals during that time. He recalled the moment in the iconic book, Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers: Players Recall the Glory Years of the Black and Gold .
“That was not professional or classy from the Steelers team. That was not something that we looked at like it was how you expected Pittsburgh to play. The player (Gary), he not only made the ta.
