Super Bowl XL was a special game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only was it their first championship victory since the 1970s, but it was also played in Detroit, Jerome Bettis’ hometown. While Bettis didn’t play a huge part in that game, his teammate, Willie Parker, had one of the biggest plays of the game, running for a record-setting 75-yard touchdown. However, Parker recently revealed that he wasn’t at 100 percent going into that game, forcing him to push through his injury on his scoring run.

“I had a hyperextended knee before that, all leading up,” Parker said Tuesday on the Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. “It happened in the Denver game. And even before the game, I was like, ‘I need to be full speed.’ I was full speed that play…

“I was moving. I didn’t feel my leg. When you’re playing for your brothers, it’s like, ‘I’ve gotta do my job.’ That’s all that was in my head. ‘I’ve gotta score…’ It was one of those moments that you’re always gonna remember.”

The Steelers played the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game that year, so Parker had two weeks to bounce back from his injury. A hyperextended knee usually isn’t too serious, but it might have impacted Parker more. His game was based primarily on speed, so a knee injury could’ve seriously hampered him.

However, it probably would’ve been hard to get Parker to sit out during the Super Bowl. It’s the sport’s biggest game, and the entire team wanted to win that championship for Bettis, giving his career a storybook ending. Parker, who formed a close relationship with Bettis, certainly shared that sentiment.

Thankfully, Parker was healthy enough to suit up. That game might’ve gone differently without him. It was still close before he broke off his big run, with the Steelers leading 7-3. Parker’s touchdown gave Pittsburgh a much-needed cushion.

The Steelers went on to win that game, and Parker was established as the Steelers’ lead running back for the next several seasons. He even won another Super Bowl with the Steelers a few years later. While he wasn’t as impactful in that game, Parker’s Super Bowl XL touchdown cemented him in Steelers history. Knowing that he played through an injury adds to the story.