Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph had a day to remember Saturday at Acrisure Stadium.
Making his first start since 2021, Rudolph threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns, guiding the Steelers to a 34–11 win over the rival Cincinnati Bengals and setting a team season high in points scored.
But it still won’t go down as Rudolph’s best Christmas of all time.
“I got a treehouse when I was 12 but this is definitely up there,” Rudulph jokingly said when asked by reporters if this is the best Christmas of his life.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Rudolph’s touchdown passes were highlight worthy, too. He connected with receiver George Pickens on an 86-yard score in the first quarter and another 66-yard touchdown in the third.
Steelers fans embraced Rudolph and began chanting his name in the stands. The in-stadium speakers blared “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” after the Steelers clinched the victory.
The Acrisure Stadium crowd singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer on Christmas Eve Eve during the Mason Rudolph game is just poetic. pic.twitter.com/FL5RTfq61z
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) December 24, 2023
It was a breath of fresh air for the Steelers, who hadn’t scored more than 18 points in their previous five games.
Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett is reportedly expected to be back next week, but Rudolph gave coach Mike Tomlin something to think about by lighting the way to victory at Acrisure Stadium.
And he saved the Steelers’ Christmas, too.
