I was born in Pittsburgh and it's a moment I will never forget and it's as clear in my head now as it was then. I was 15 and my dad had season tickets that year and the next year. We went to every home game that year (of course) and I believe the price of a ticket was around $7.50. Boy have times changed! We sat on the visitor's side, 4 rows up from the field and on the 35-yard line near one of the dugouts. I remember it was a boring game offensively but a great defensive battle. I believe it was 0-0 at half-time. The reason you see the enormous explosion of emotion after Franco's catch and TD that sealed the victory was two-fold. One, the Steelers finished the season 11-3. A record the Steelers had never come close to in their 40-year history at the time. No one knew what kind of season the Steelers were going to have and I doubt anyone predicted 11-3 was possible especially since the previous year they were 6-8 and 5-9 the year before that. It was already a year that far exceeded expectations. Second, the game looked like it was well in hand for the Steelers with just less than 2:00 minutes to go when Ken Stabler ran around the left end untouched for a 40 yard TD. But not all was lost. What the film doesn't show is Terry Bradshaws 3 successive incomplete throws from the Steeler 40 yard line. I remember being frustrated as to why he was throwing so deep downfield on those throws as they only needed to go about 20 yards to get into field goal range. The goalposts were on the goal line back then so if they could get to the 40 of Oakland Gerela had a makeable kick to win the game as the score was only 7-6 Oakland. Then the miracle happened. Fans erupted and 40 years of pent up frustrations came flowing, more like erupting, out. I, like many, jumped onto the field which wasn't too hard for me as we were just 4 rows up and the stands on both sides of the field went nearly to field level. 1st-row fan's feet were just a foot or so off the field. My dad said to stay on the sideline, which I did and stood next to linebacker Gerald Irons who I thought was the largest person I had ever seen. I witnessed either Pete Banaszak or Marv Hubbard throwing their helmet into the bench. Recently an NFL Films documentary was produced that covered what became known as the Immaculate Reception. It analyzed the Tatum, Fuqua collision frame by frame like they were forensic experts going over the Zapruder film. Conclusion: the ball never touched Fuqua. Close up frame by frame stop-action sequence showed the ball above Fuqua's fingertips. And the fact that Fuqua's running in the direction of the ball- with 2 energies going in the same direction. Tatum's direction, and energy, was going into the ball. When the collision happened the ball careened back towards the line of scrimmage - obviously from being influenced by Tatum's direction of energy. If it had hit Fuqua in the hands it would have dropped to the ground right there. Or if it had hit him in the back - which it clearly didn't as the ball was way above his out-stretched hands it still would have dropped to the ground at that point as Fuqua's direction and energy were going with the ball. Only Tatum's was going against the direction of the ball. Sorry Raiders fans.
Gary, I too was at the game that day. I was 16 years old. We had season tickets that year. In fact we had a 4 seat section on the visiting side line at around the 40 yard line about 15 or 20 rows up from the field. Great seats all season. However, we did not have the same seats during the playoff game and we only had two tickets. My seat was in the opposite end zone from where Franco scored. I think we were under the upper deck cover. The seats were not great, but we could see everything. I took my high school buddy. My mother was married to the CEO of Pittsburgh Testing Lab in Greentree, and that is where I got the tickets for the game. I grew up in McKees Rocks and when to Sto-Rox and played football for Sto-Rox. On the historic play, my buddy, said he could not watch the Steelers lose, so he put his head down and missed the greatest play of all time. After the play happened he asked me what happened. I told him he missed the great play of all time and will just have to watch it on tv tonight. The stadium and fans were ecstatic as you probably all ready know. In the parking lot people were honking horns and going crazy. A moment in time I will never forget. I just wish I kept my ticket stub. Thanks for sharing your story.
Good to know. Was he the same guy that narrated some of the old Steve Sabol “NFL Films Presents”...? Loved those when I was a kid. I’m thinking he was the same guy that did “The Autumn Wind is a Raider”... Good stuff. (And I’m not even a Raider fan.).
Growing up in the 70s I loved the Steelers (even tho I'm from ATL). I met Franco Harris once in a restaurant in Buckhead Atlanta (I served there) in 1995. He looked in great shape, was happy and as nice as he could be! So great to meet a guy you looked up to and he turns out to actually be a cool guy in person!
I love stories like that. I actually met Dennis Rodman in a mall in downtown SLC in 1990 when he was with the Bad Boy Pistons. I was in high school. He could not have been more cool and kind.
That was one of the most bitter defeats I have ever witnessed on a football field. Especially since Phil Villapiano said he was in position to make the tackle and got clipped on the play, and no flags were tossed by the refs.
Villapiano could not have reached Harris, he was about five yards behind. The so-called clip, the blocker barely touched Villapiano. also. I think the Raiders and Al Davis changed their tune from 'the ball wasn't batted by Tatum' to Villapiano got clipped. Even with instant replay today, neither play is clear (and you can't challenge a penalty anyway, apart from timing plays). The batting of the ball wouldn't be overturned today, if the rule had not been changed.
Yes, but according to the Raider guarding Franco he was a lazy bum in the right place at the right time. He is wrong. Raidercomplainer then said he was clipped but not called. He outta be grateful. Wouldn't of landed a hand on Franco in time and had he tried, Franco would have stiff armed "em like Titans Derrick Henry does and really given him something to he really embarrassed about. Lol.
Forgetting about whether it was a legal catch or not, I prefer to view this as the day the Snake was born. What a TD run! You just knew Madden would have a short leash on Lamonica the next season and the Raiders went from the Mad Bomber to the Snake shortly into that 1973 season.
I teach English as a second language. In the advanced classes we get into figurative language and idioms. When the term "divine intervention" comes up in chapter 6, I always show this video as an example.
Henry, have you ever thought about teaching the 700 or so Siamese Twins? I wrote the article at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_twins_(linguistics) so I thought I would see if that might help... or blow everyone's mind?
As amazing as this play was. What I took away from this...man I miss the old days of 🏈. These men were tough. The hits..by God the hits. If someone hit a receiver like Tatum did to Fuqua., that player would serve a life sentence in prison.
Having grown up in the Pittsburgh area at that time I remember that Franco was already a star even before that game - Franco's Italian Army was everywhere. Even Frank Sinatra was a member. The game just solidified his image and created a cult, but Franco was already a star player for the Steelers - along with Joe Greene and Andy Russell. I once met Frency Fuqua - he did have gold fish in the heels of his shoes.
Love seeing this play...I was 14 at the time and a huge Dolphins fan. The next week we played for the AFC championship and though we were undefeated at the time (15-0) due to AFC championship scheduling procedures at the time, the AFC Central hosted. So we beat the Steelers in Three Rivers the week after this game to get to the SB and complete our '72 undefeated season.
Great video. These kind of videos say that it made Franco a star, but for those who lived through this, he was a huge rookie star that year. That's part of what makes the play so great is that Franco made the play after his incredible rookie year. This play made him a legend.
You know, even if the play was ruled illegal, I say Tatum committed pass interference when he knocked down Fuqua & could have been called for that. That would have put the Steelers in field goal range. But history didn't mean it to turn out that way.
This was the bes time of the Steelers with a group of players that make history and give glory to the team Franco Harris was a GREAT player but not the only one that was a TERRIFIC team not only Franco and I love each one of them
I remember that play - amazing and it play on Monday night football for years...... that was a great decade of football Don't forget the Hail Mary pass by the Great Roger.
@Wes Peeble Yes but did it hit the ground?. The replay is pretty obvious that Tatum hit the ball since the speed of the deflection could have only happened with someone running towards the ball, i.e. Tatum, rather than Fuqua who was running downfield. The real controversy of the play is did Harris trap it or catch it clean? I suppose Harris is the only person who knows for certain and he'll likely take it to his grave before spilling the truth.
I was a 15 year old kid eating dinner on a tray, jumped up and screamed, spilling everything on the floor as I watched Harris run into the EZ! I remember so well how everyone in the stands just poured on to the field in celebration! Those were the days!
I was at that game first row end seat end zone . the players had to enter the locker room there. all I rem is how pissed the raider players were when the game was over as they entered the locker room.
This play has more historical significance than people realize. The truth about the phone call was that it was to the league office where Bob Swearingen took the call. The ref told him that Pat Harder and Adrian Burk, two of the on-field officials and two former NFL players themselves, had ruled double touch. Both Tatum and Fuqua had made contact with the ball; therefore , the catch was legal and the touchdown should stand. Swearingen said that the on-field officials had the right call. And that is how the Immaculate Reception was the first play in NFL history to be determined by instant replay.
Timeless great moments in NFL history. I'm a die hard Raider fan. This wasn't a stolen game. The tuck rule game was the biggest ripoff in sports history.
Actually, the Tuck Rule was enforced against the Patriots earlier that year. But the biggest ripoff was when Ben Dreith stole that game from the Patriots, and gave it to the Raiders. When the Patriots went to Super Bowl XXXVI, a Raiders fan ran into Patriots announcer Gil Santos. He said, "You guys don't deserve to be here." Santos replied, "I remember 1976, and YOU guys didn't deserve to be THERE. Payback's a bitch, ain't it?"
At least the tuck rule was a rule that was in place for 3 years. It was called against the Pat's week 2 vs the Jets and nobody said anything. It was called the year before for the Tampa bay Buccaneers, Vinny Testaverde was the Q.B and nobody said a thing. When it happened in the Raiders vs Patriots game, morons said the rule was made up that night. Come on people! If you don't watch football at least do your research. December 18 1976 was the WORST call in NFL history. Phantom roughing the passer call against the Patriots vs the Raiders. NEVER EVEN HAPPENED! GOOGLE IT
@@davidgoff2530 you cant defend that fumble not even with the tuck rule and Vinnys situation was way different. Tuck rule was wrongfully applied and when you freeze the play before he is hit the ball had completed the pump fake.
@@916Smoke It was a stupid rule but at least it could be backed up on that. The phantom roughing the passer call never happened. Explain that. There were riots and everything. New England had a really good team in 76
We finally know now that the ball hit Tatum since that have the video from the original broadcast. You can even see Harris cleaning catching the ball as well. No doubt about it. What a great play, one of the best and most exciting in all of sports still to this day.
RandomPlayIist Besides the "who the ball hit" controversy, I remember some questioning whether or not, the ball hit the ground as Harris caught it. There's no clear video of the catch. So there's two questions involving this play.
Anthony DelVecchio Well, I'll admit I didn't study "trajectory of objects", I just know what's on video, (no proof of catch or non catch), and the comments of commentators at the time. And as for assuming only raiders fans dispute the play, wrong yet again, that game, I became a Steelers fan (they're actually second after the Bears). But I am glad you know so much about velocity, spin rate, and tumble frequency of a non thrown football to assure all of us how, and in which direction, that ball would bounced had its' nose brush the ground while Franco was simultaneously catching it.
@@ANTHONY0808able for most of my early 'sports fan' life, I was a closet Steeler fan..." closet" because I was born in Dallas and raised in central Texas. Do you have any links to these better video angles? The 'stock' game video doesn't give enough clarity.
The next game the Steelers played was the '72 AFC Championship game, which due to AFC league rules at that time the game rotated between the divisions, so even though the Dolphins were undefeated/untied and had the better record they had to play the AFC Championship on the road in three rivers stadium in Pitt...but the Dolphins still won and obviously went on to win the SB and complete the Perfect Season.
Franco avoided the block and "jogged" in front of the pocket to be open for a ten yard pass to get them first down. It was strategic, not lazy. If he was lazy, he would not have run toward the ball once it was passed. He learned that from the Penn State coach.
@@mjoven1975 To this day. Frenchy Fuqua sells photos of this play, of Him and Jack Tatum colliding , and the ball just arriving. He autographs it "FRENCHY FUQUA...I'LL NEVER TELL" I bought one off him a few years back. I got to meet him and his wife.. Down to earth people. 2019
I purchased a DVD of the history of the Steelers and concerning this play I understand that Madden is still piss over that play he John Madden get over it
At about age 3 I learned just how deeply mom's Pittsburgh roots run. Of course though we live In southern California ( which mom detests.) Steelers are the family team. When I think of my childhood the first thing I think of is football. How important it was. Those killer Superbowls against Dallas were the best games to me. The players were just beasts. Not crying or pouting for not getting his way. Mostly.
The narrator of this NFL film was Jeff Kaye who worked for WBEN 930 radio in Buffalo, NY--when John Facenda passed away NFL films was looking for an announcer to complement the great Harry Kalas--Mr. Kaye's program director at the radio station (unknown to Mr. Kaye)-sent a demo tape to NFL films--they obviously loved what they heard and hired Mr. Kaye without hesitation--Mr. Kaye went on to have a stellar career with NFL films and also became a very close friend of Mr. Kalas
Raiders sure were involved in some great playoff finishes back ; then they finally got a break a few years later, in that Sea of Hands game against the Dolphins , another fantastic finish
Not in 72. Miami beat Steelers in Conference Championship, and won the SB . Miami lost to Oakland then Oakland lost to Steelers in74 and the Steeler's won the SB in74(well Jan 75) Their 1st one of the 4
@@utahsilvey5930 Yeah, they think Bradshaw might of suffered a concussion on the first TD score of the game. Although, it was stupid that an undefeated team had to play in Pitt.
1st of 5 straight years when the teams would see each other in the postseason. The Steelers would win 3 of the 5 meetings, including AFC championship game after 1974 & 75 seasons, although 1 of the Raiders wins came during their 16-1 Super Bowl 11 title year of 1976
I turned my tv off I couldn't watch but, then I said what the hell they had a good year then turned the tv back on just to see Franco running down the sidelines. I went cool slam crazy! 😂
This game was the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries in NFL history. Oakland and Pittsburgh along with the Miami Dolphins took turns beating each other and going to the Super Bowl in the 1970's. Steelers went back to back twice winning 4 times. The Dolphins when 3 consecutive times winning twice and Oakland finally broke through and won SB XI in 1976.
As a Raiders fan I will admit the ball hit Tatum first then bounced off Fuqua second right into the hands of Franco.The great Curt Gowdy called the game on NBC. I call still hear a game announcer say" And there's a collision! And its caught out if the air by Franco Harris!" I was 14 years old at the time.The Steelers lost to the undefeated Dolphins 21-17 the following week in the AFC championship game.
Playing football in that time compared to now was like flying P51 Mustangs compared to being a drone pilot. I big hit on a defenseless receiver was something you got congratulated for. A late hit was when you hit a guy after he was halfway back to the huddle.
John Madden says the Immaculate Reception will bother him until the day he dies....now he know how San Diego Charger fans feel about the Holy Roller Play.
In all fairness, there wasn't any implications on that play unlike the Immaculate Reception. For Charger fans, 1980 AFC Title vs. Oakland, 1981 AFC Title vs. Cincinnati, and SB29 are probably bigger losses to deal with then the Holy Roller.
KWCline91 I see your point. The Holy Roller Play was not the greatest loss in San Diego Charger history; however the Chargers did miss the playoffs that year by ONE loss. Regardless of that the Holy Roller Play is the classic example of 'Raider Thievery'. The late Ken Stabler admitted to intentionally fumbling the ball forward. It just makes me laugh how Madden holds a grudge against the Steelers, yet shows no remorse for his team ripping-off the Chargers.
@@jasona9 Maybe that's why the Raiders cheated later, after a sure victory was stolen from them. Like JFK's rip off of the 1960 election from Nixon caused Nixon to get involved with Watergate during the 1972 Election.
There is a NFL film clip of this play from the opposite side of the field, Seen it one time when it was showed with other big game high lights. All were showed from an angle that is different than the traditional ones. It was done as a commercial. Funny thing is this different angle really showed what really happened on that play
You already know he's lying about the clip. HE DIDNT EVEN FALL OVER HAHA. Plus back in those days. The "tougher" days of the NFL. There's no way that's a clip. Case closed. I have pics of the ball hitting Tatum and of the ball never hitting the ground. I can send them to you if u want.
I remember the Stabler td and the Harris td. The Steelers were ridiculously lucky(was cheering for neither,was only ten). Like how the announcer declares a Harris td before he reaches the end zone.
Football was better in the '70s. Back then, you were a Raider, you were a Steeler, you were a Cowboy...etc. Now they are just football players drifting from team to team. These guys in this video spoke with a passion for their team that you will not find anymore.
