Super Bowl XIII (1979): Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Game Recap: Super Bowl XIII

The Pittsburgh Steelers captured Super Bowl XIII on January 21, 1979 at Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. The final score of 35–31 in favor of Pittsburgh Steelers gave the franchise one of their most memorable championship moments. First team to win three Super Bowls; a classic offensive battle.

Super Bowl XIII was the 13th edition of the NFL Championship game, drawing one of the largest television audiences of the year. The game was held at Miami Orange Bowlin Miami, FL, one of the premier venues in the NFL.

Key Storylines and Notable Facts

First team to win three Super Bowls; a classic offensive battle.

MVP Performance: Terry Bradshaw

Terry Bradshaw (QB) earned the Super Bowl XIII Most Valuable Player award with a standout individual performance. The MVP award, officially known as the Pete Rozelle Trophy, has been given since Super Bowl I and recognizes the single most impactful player in each championship game. Terry Bradshaw joins an elite list of Super Bowl MVP winners alongside Joe Montana (4 awards), Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, and Tom Brady.

Halftime Show: Ken Hamilton & Caribbean Steel Drum Band

The Super Bowl XIII halftime show featured Ken Hamilton & Caribbean Steel Drum Band. The halftime show has grown from a simple marching band performance in the early Super Bowls into one of the most-watched musical events in the world, routinely attracting over 120 million viewers. For a full ranking of every halftime show, see our best Super Bowl halftime shows guide.

Where Was Super Bowl XIII Played?

Super Bowl XIII was played at Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. The NFL selects host cities based on stadium quality, hotel room capacity, and infrastructure. For a full list of every Super Bowl location, see our Super Bowl stadiums page and Super Bowl host cities guide.

Super Bowl XIII Legacy

Super Bowl XIII added to the Pittsburgh Steelers's championship legacy. The victory secured a place in NFL history and gave the franchise's fans one of their most celebrated moments. Championship victories are often defining moments for franchises — they elevate players to legend status, validate coaching philosophies, and become permanent fixtures in sports culture.

For the complete timeline of every Super Bowl champion, visit our Super Bowl winners page. To see how this game fits into the all-time records, visit the Super Bowl records page.