Mason Rudolph sparked some Christmas Cheer inside Acrisure Stadium on Saturday night. Fitting for someone sharing the name of a popular holiday character.
Rudolph, called up to become the third starting quarterback this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, lit up the Cincinnati Bengals with 17 of 27 passing for 290 yards and two touchdowns in the 34-11 rout.
In popular Christmas culture, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer saves Santa Claus and Christmas. This Rudolph may have saved the Steelers’ season, sparking some strong reactions, including ones with a holiday tone.
Notable Reactions for Mason Rudolph
Again, Rudolph’s performance spread some holiday joy at the Steelers’ home venue. This scene was captured toward the end of the game: Fans chatting the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer song in unison for Rudolph.
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
Steelers analyst Kevin Adams of Barstool Sports was inside hearing the cheers. He felt it was deserving for the type of evening the third-stringer put forth.
“Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer blaring as we leave the stadium. Take your victory lap, Mason Rudolph. You’ve earned it,” Adams posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Merry Christmas Steelers fans.”
National media personalities had their fun with describing Rudolph’s night. ESPN’s Mina Kimes was one who went with a holiday theme on her post.
“Mason Rudolph having the best game of his life right before Christmas is a little…on the nose,” Kimes posted.
Rudolph was then given this pre-Christmas gift: The game ball.
Mason Rudolph with the game ball #Steelers pic.twitter.com/ESspoqO1q2
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) December 24, 2023
What Were the Steelers’ Reaction for Rudolph’s Big Night?
Head coach Mike Tomlin knows that he and the Steelers can have a more cheerful Dec. 25.
“We’re going to have a Merry Christmas,” Tomlin told reporters.
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Tomlin made the aggressive decision to sit the Steelers’ No. 2 QB Mitch Trubisky and throw back in a familiar backup option in Rudolph. While Rudolph resurfaced as a fan favorite in the Steel City, Tomlin wasn’t surprised.
“He was Mason. We talked about it earlier in the week he’s got a belief in himself. He’s aggressive. And I though he did a really great job of not displaying a lot rust for a guy who obviously hasn’t played a lot,” Tomlin said.
Coach Tomlin spoke to the media following our win over the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/JqJP9tnJ4B
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 24, 2023
Meanwhile, George Pickens became the recipient of Rudolph’s breakout evening, snatching four catches for 195 yards and scoring twice. The duo set the tone right away on this long strike.
Mason Rudolph hits George Pickens in stride and he takes it 86 yards to the HOUSE 🤯#Steelers fans have been waiting for this 🔥#SteelersNation | #NFL
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 23, 2023
But even Pickens himself wasn’t surprised by how well Rudolph performed.
“Mason has always been doing that,” Pickens told reporters.
Still, Rudolph had waited his turn to lead the Steelers’ offense once again. And Pickens had been waiting for his breakout night as a Steeler.
“Mason was giving me chances. And it was me making the most out of them,” Pickens said.
George Pickens spoke to the media following our win over the Bengals. pic.twitter.com/auiw9l3a9p
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 24, 2023
Rudolph was the last to take the podium. He showed humility in his first press conference in awhile with the Steelers media.
“Very rewarding. Just grateful to be back on this team this year and have an opportunity to play. Just a special night,” Rudolph said.
Still, he admitted he couldn’t help but take in the “Rudolph” chants on the eve of Christmas.
“We’re all human. I’d be lying if I say I didn’t enjoy it,” Rudolph said. “I’ve been on the other end of it [the boos]. I try to block it out. You can’t let that into your mind. We still had a game to play and you can’t let that enter your mind.
“But hey, we’ve got a bunch of passionate fans. What a joy to play in front of them tonight, and with all my family in town.”
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