Fate seemed to be at work on multiple levels during Sunday night’s Steelers game.
Not only for Pittsburgh, which edged the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a nail-biter, but also for Justin Karolski, who happened to be seated in the end zone where Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed the would-be game-winning field goal.
The 44-yard attempt occurred as the clock expired in the fourth quarter. Karolski, a technology teacher at North Allegheny Senior High School, was sitting in the right place at the right time: Section 122.
There was no question the season ticket holder would be at the game.
“I wouldn’t miss a win when you’re in a division-rivalry game,” said Karolski, a McCandless resident who occasionally sits with friends and family members in other sections.
The atmosphere was electric at the end of the game.
“There was some hope still there, but it didn’t look good,” he said. “My section was all screaming as loud as we could with hopes to keep the season alive.”
As Loop’s missed field goal veered off course, the ball sailed directly toward Karolski, who was there with his college friend, Kyle Sloan.
“I was waving my Terrible Towel and just generally excited when I saw the ball hit a seat behind me and bounce into my arms,” said Karolski, a Duquesne University graduate.
If there’s a big moment in Pittsburgh sports, an NA Tiger is never far away! On the final play of the @steelers' 26–24 AFC North–clinching win, NASH teacher Justin Karolski caught the missed Ravens field goal! What a finish! Congrats to NA's @JoeyPorterJr! #KingsOfTheNorth pic.twitter.com/YikYDMmr4f
— North Allegheny School District (@NA_Schools) January 5, 2026
Now he owns a ball that symbolized not just an AFC North win but also what many are calling the most pivotal moment of the game.
Karolski brought it to school Monday to share in the joy of the win.
“The fact that the Steelers won was surreal. The football is such a unique way to remember a very impactful part of the game,” he said.
But don’t look for it on eBay or any other online marketplace. Karolski plans to hold on to the momentous keepsake.
“I feel like this is something that may be passed down generationally,” he said.
