Pittsburgh Steelers fans are showing their appreciation for what the Las Vegas Raiders did to help the Black and Gold playoff cause Sunday night. The television ratings for the Raiders-Chargers “Sunday Night Football” game were through the roof. Jerome Bettis has some unfinished business. And we have an honor for a Duquesne basketball star.

All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Much appreciation

On Sunday night, kicker Daniel Carlson played the role of hero for the Las Vegas Raiders.

And for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

His overtime game-winning field goal beat the Los Angeles Chargers 35-32, sending both the Raiders and Steelers to the playoffs. And it sent the Chargers home for the offseason.

Stone-cold clutch. ❄️@DanielCarlson38 | #LACvsLV | More highlights on https://t.co/wXUK7ZZimE pic.twitter.com/CNEYzJLdw7

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 10, 2022

To show their appreciation, Steelers fans have apparently started to donate money to Carlson’s charities. So Carlson took to Twitter to say thank you and help streamline the fundraising efforts.

@steelers please thank your fans who are generously donating to charities I've been involved with! I’ll add some links below for any others who would like to join in on the fun! PLAYOFFS!!!

— Daniel Carlson (@DanielCarlson38) January 10, 2022

One of those charities is “aTeam Ministries” in Alabama. It’s a support organization for children and their families within the pediatric cancer community.

Another is “After-School All-Stars” in Las Vegas. It works directly with children, providing after-school programs to help to shape the futures of kids. Carlson also provided a link for the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada.

The neighborly thing to do

It looks like Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has some neighbors who are Steelers fans.

And they wanted to reach out and show their appreciation for the Vegas win and the team’s willingness to avoid a tie.

????‍☠️???? pic.twitter.com/2Ni5nG9oXj

— MaddMaxx (@CrosbyMaxx) January 11, 2022

If a tie happened, then Vegas and the Chargers would’ve gone to the playoffs and the Steelers would’ve been left out.

Peacock power

The “Sunday Night Football” broadcast on NBC was a ratings hit.

The three-way drama involving the Chargers, Raiders and Steelers definitely held viewing interest throughout the night.

Via Deadline.com on Monday, “SNF earned a 4.0 rating in the 18-49 demo and 14.5 million viewers, an impressive rise from the previous week’s game (3.7, 14.33M). Numbers are set to rise pending adjustment, as is the case with major live events including sports.”

Also, remember that the game didn’t end until well after midnight. And the tie scenario didn’t appear likely until the fourth quarter.

To underscore the point, locally on WPXI, the Chargers-Raiders game got an 11.9 rating and a 42 share. It peaked over 14 in overtime. The previous week’s Packers-Vikings game held a 9.3 rating and a 28 share.

The Bus is still rolling

Jerome Bettis left Notre Dame for the NFL Draft before he finished his degree.

But now the Steelers Hall of Fame running back is back in South Bend to complete his education.

I have always told my kids that whatever you start, you finish. Today I started my final semester at the University of @NotreDame. I knew when I left 27 years ago to go to the @NFL that I would be back one day. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and further your education. pic.twitter.com/N06qKjwkpH

— Jerome Bettis (@JeromeBettis36) January 11, 2022

“I have always told my kids that whatever you start, you finish. Today I started my final semester at the University of Notre Dame,” Bettis posted on Instagram. “I knew when I left 27 years ago to go to the NFL, that I would be back one day. Now I’m on my way to earning my bachelors degree in business! It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and further your education. #thebusisback”

A day for a Duke

Duquesne’s Jackie Johnson III has been named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. The freshman guard was awarded for his performance in DU’s 78-74 Atlantic 10-opening win at Massachusetts on Saturday.

ROW @_jackiejohnson1 in action????#GoDukes | #A10MBB pic.twitter.com/yNPyHKnpkq

— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) January 10, 2022

Johnson went 10 of 14 from the field with three 3-pointers in scoring a game-high 27 points to help the Dukes to their first win at UMass since 2011.

The 5-foot-11 guard, who added a season high-tying four assists, scored the Dukes’ final four points — including a shot in the lane with 10 seconds on the clock — after UMass cut the DU lead to three with 39 seconds left.

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