Joey Porter Jr. Reflects on his Father’s Unforgettable 2016 Moment Against Bengals

Eight years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a dramatic win in an AFC Wild-Card game against the Cincinnati Bengals, thanks to a total meltdown from the Bengals’ defense.

At the heart of the chaos was Joey Porter Sr., but not as a player.

On January 10, 2016, the Bengals held a narrow 16-15 lead, but things took a turn when linebacker Vontaze Burfict delivered a devastating hit on Steelers’ wide receiver Antonio Brown in the final 22 seconds of the game, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. The Bengals were then hit with another 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct due to cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones making contact with a Steelers coach and an official, who happened to be Porter Sr.

Two plays later, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell sealed the win with a game-winning 35-yard field goal, propelling Pittsburgh to the divisional round.

Eight years later, Joey Porter Jr. is set to make his first trip to Cincinnati as the Steelers’ starting cornerback. Despite being just 15 years old at the time, Porter Jr. vividly remembers the incident involving his father at the center of it all.

“Yeah, definitely. I remember that one like it was yesterday. It was crazy,” Porter Jr. recalled from the locker room of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.

Of course, that moment led to a comical “Jerry Porter” video from Jones after the loss. Looking back, it’s still incredible to see how the game unfolded in the final minutes, with a Steelers interception followed by Bengals running back Jeremy Hill’s fumble, leading to the chaotic moments after Burfict’s hit.

Despite recalling that incredible finish, Porter Jr. is excited to be part of the AFC North football matchup himself.

“Like everybody said, those games are legendary. They’re always close games. There’s a lot of history between the two teams, so this is exciting for anybody who watches these two,” Porter said, according to video via Adamski. 

There is a real rivalry there, one that has intensified in the last decade as the Bengals have regained prominence, first with Andy Dalton and now Joe Burrow. Although Burrow will miss both Steelers games this season due to a torn wrist ligament, the matchup with the Bengals will still be a tough one for the Steelers. Cincinnati boasts a great defense and has elite playmakers on offense for young quarterback Jake Browning to work with.

Among the offensive playmakers is wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, whom Porter will go head-to-head with on Sunday. This promises to be an exciting matchup to watch, adding to the intensity of the rivalry on the field.