Harris makes Immaculate Reception
On December 23 1972 in a controversial play that is known as the Immaculate Reception rookie running back Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers grabs a deflected pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to score a touchdown winning the game for the Steelers 13-7 over the Oakland Raiders.The historic play took place during the semifinal playoff game of the American Football Conference (AFC) in Pittsburgh.Ken Stabler of the Raiders scored a touchdown with 73 seconds left in the game putting Oakland up 7-6.Things looked dark for the Steelers a struggling franchise that had finished 31 of the previous 39 seasons with a losing record.
Bradshaws pass launched from the Steelers 40-yard-line was intended for halfback Frenchy Fuqua.When the Raiders safety Jack Tatum collided with Fuqua at Oaklands 35-yard-line the ball bounced backwards in a huge arc for a total of seven yards where Harris scooped it up before it hit the ground and ran 42 yards into the end zone.Though one official Adrian Burk immediately ruled the play a touchdown there were no other signals.Tatum swore he didnt touch the ball and that it had bounced off Fuqua and ricocheted towards Harris this would have made Harris play illegal according to a rule at the time stating no two receivers can touch the ball consecutively on the same play.
From a dugout on the sidelines referee Fred Swearingen got on the phone with Art McNally the NFLs supervisor of officials.McNally had access to the instant replay on television from his seat in the press box and confirmed Swearingens ruling that Tatum had touched the football making Harris play a touchdown.In his post-game comments Raiders coach John Madden indicated that he believed Tatum had made contact with the ball.The following week also in Pittsburgh the Steelers lost the AFC championship game to the undefeated Miami Dolphins who went on to win Super Bowl VII.
The Immaculate Reception marked the end of Pittsburghs years of futility however as the Steelers became a dominant force in the NFL over the next decade winning four Super Bowls by 1980.
