Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Tom Dierberger

Mason Rudolph Names Childhood Christmas Gift That Beats Steelers’ Win Over Bengals

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.

Rudolph acknowledged the Steelers fans chanting his name after leading the team to a huge win over the AFC North rival Bengals.

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.

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.