The Immaculate Reception

I have serious problems calling this a great play for two reasons. First off by the rules of the day a double tap, at least in my opinion, a play doesnt deserve to be called great when it is the cause of a referee missing a call. Second and most importantly Franco Harris was in the position he was because he was lazy, he wasnt getting the ball so he jogged off the line of scrimmage. A great play should be great because of amazing work and effort put forward by an individual or a team, not by sheer luck.

The catch (or double tap, depending on your loyalties and your point of view) that founded the Steeler dynasty of the '70's.

Virtually created the legend of Franco Harris, and resigned Frenchy Fuqua (the intended Steeler receiver) to obscurity.

What has always impressed me, watching replays of this play, is the power of the hit that Tatum puts on Fuqua. Drives him about fifteen feet. Man that guy could hit.

Una de las mejores jugadas de los acereros de los 70`s. Tambien esta la jugada de Lynn Swan contra los vaqueros en el superbowl.

Since I'm from California, I don't feel exactly elated about the outcome but it was a well played game nonetheless.

they have since studied the play, and found the refs did make the correct call..

Pure hustle by Franco Harris enabled him to make this great play. He never gave up, and that became the hallmark of the Steelers dynasty. (Yes, I'm a Steelers fan.)

Skizero needs to brush up on his sports. The odds on seeing that play again are very long, so it is a remarkable play. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it isn't important in sports history.

Sick of hearing about this. so what? ball bounces off a guy's head and another dude catches it. a happy accident? sure. immaculate? ony if you're an idiot.

Tatum The friggin train! Iam so a chiefs fan so I think Franco caught. Any body know where I can get the video clip?

Yes, I saw it on TV as it unfolded. It was truly a spectacular play. Some things I found interesting: 1) In college, Harris was not even his team's (Penn State) best rusher. 2) Up to that moment, the game was kind of a yawner, scoreless at halftime (This is good football, my dad explained to me), and 6-0, Raiduhs, before the IC occurred. 3) I gave it just 4 stars because the Steelers came up short in the AFC Conference Final against Miami. A modern comparison would be the Eagles' Freddie Mitchell and the 4th and 26 miracle against the Packers last year, only to look like donkeys against the Panthers.

Did he or didn't he? All that mattered was whether or not Fuqua touched the ball just before Franco. And the refs said no, despite lingering Raider bitterness. But Fuqua wasn't the intended receiver: rookie Barry Pearson was, but he got jammed at the line. And Franco was a safety valve on the play who admits he was out of position when he made the play on the ball. I was there, and I'll never forget it!