Steelers Bring Back Iconic Gold End Zones for Monday Night Showdown vs. Dolphins
There’s something about December football in Pittsburgh that just hits differently-and this year, the Steelers are leaning all the way into that legacy. For the fourth straight season, the team is bringing back their throwback gold-painted end zones for their Week 15 Monday Night Football clash against the Miami Dolphins.
If you’ve been around long enough to remember the glory days at Three Rivers Stadium, this is a nod that hits home. The gold end zones, complete with bold “Pittsburgh” and “Steelers” wordmarks and flanked by the AFC and NFL logos, are a visual callback to one of the franchise’s most storied eras. And they’re not just for show-they’re part of a tradition that’s been revived with purpose over the last few seasons.
The Steelers typically wait until late in the year to break out the gold paint, and there’s a practical reason for that. Acrisure Stadium is a shared space with the Pitt Panthers, so the team holds off until the Panthers’ season wraps before transforming the field into a canvas of black and gold nostalgia.
This year’s timing is no coincidence. The Steelers are set to honor three franchise legends-Joey Porter Sr., Maurkice Pouncey, and Ben Roethlisberger-with induction into their Hall of Honor. That trio represents a significant chunk of modern Steelers history, and the gold end zones feel like the perfect backdrop for a night that will celebrate toughness, leadership, and championship pedigree.
This isn’t the first time the team has paired the throwback look with a major moment. In 2022, the Steelers brought back the gold for a Christmas Eve game against the Raiders, a night that saw Franco Harris’ No. 32 jersey retired and marked the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. That night was cold, emotional, and unforgettable-exactly the kind of atmosphere Pittsburgh football thrives in.
Speaking of cold, it looks like the weather will be doing its part to set the scene again. Monday night’s forecast is calling for a high of just 21 degrees, with temperatures expected to dip into the teens by kickoff.
That’s par for the course when the Dolphins come to town this time of year. Two of Miami’s last three visits to Pittsburgh have involved wintry conditions, including a snow-covered loss in 2013 and a frigid playoff game in 2017.
The field itself should be ready for the elements. According to a stadium crew member, the newly installed sod has had two full weeks to settle in and should be in peak condition for the game. That’s good news for both teams, especially with the AFC playoff picture tightening and every snap carrying weight.
But make no mistake-this is about more than just field aesthetics or weather forecasts. The gold end zones are a statement.
They’re a reminder of where this franchise has been and where it still believes it can go. They connect past to present, legends to legacy, and fans to the tradition that defines Pittsburgh football.
So when the lights come on Monday night, and the Dolphins line up across from the Steelers in those iconic gold-painted end zones, it won’t just feel like another December game. It’ll feel like Pittsburgh football the way it’s meant to be-cold, tough, and steeped in tradition.