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| Franco Harris's famous catch, immortalized at the Pittsburgh International Airport |
Most sports fans, especially those here in Western Pennsylvania, can't remember a time when the Pittsburgh Steelers weren't one of the most successful teams in the National Football League. After six Super Bowl victories (the first four within six years), with many former players enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Terrible Towels being twirled all over the world, it's hard to believe there was a time when the Steelers were anything but champions.
Art Rooney, Sr. founded the Pittsburgh Pirates (yes, that was their name for their first seven seasons) in 1933, and this current season marks the Steelers' 80th. Through most of the first 40 years, the organization fielded a mostly forgettable group of teams. In 1969, the Steelers hired Chuck Knoll. While his first season was far from a success (1-13), it gave them the first draft pick in 1970, which they used to take Terry Bradshaw. After picking Joe Greene the previous year, they were finally on their way to respectability. But no one would know that for sure for a few more seasons.
That season came in 1972, when the Steelers won their first division title and played their first playoff game on December 23rd. They defeated the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium 13-7. But it was not just any ordinary playoff game. This was the game of "The Immaculate Reception" by Franco Harris in the final minutes of the game, for them to win. It's a very hard play to describe, so if you haven't already seen it, just watch the video below.
(Take a look at this little diagram if you are still confused by the play.)
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| That's Harris on the right, and Frenchy Fuqua, the intended receiver, on the left. |
There was a bit of controversy surrounding the play. In 1972, only one offensive player was allowed to touch the ball after a pass. As can be seen in the above video, it's a little hard to tell how the ball got from one place to the other. If it bounced off of Steeler Frenchy Fuqua, then Harris catching the ball was an illegal play. However, if the ball bounced off of Oakland Raider Jack Tatum before Harris caught it, then the play was legal. It was ruled a touchdown on the field by at least one official, but there wasn't complete agreement by all of the officials. After discussing it on the field and consulting with the supervisor of officials, the play was ruled a touchdown. Back in those days, there wasn't any instant replay for officials to check, so they had to rely on each other to make their decision. Forty years later, there is still controversy -- but, of course, not by Steelers fans!
Around Pittsburgh, this catch is spoken of with reverence and respect. It was also a turbulent and restless city at the time of the play. The steel mills were still operating, but no one knew for how long. The war inVietnam was still going on, and many young men from Western Pennsylvania had fought (many not returning home). The Pittsburgh Steelers, and this playoff game, was a rock for the city to hold onto. It kept everyone going.
Also, from the way people used to talk, you would think that everyone from Western PA was either at the game or watching it on television. I spent many a year thinking that I had seen the game on TV. But I was only six at the time, so you could forgive me my memory slip. Those of us not there only saw highlights shown later, because the game was blacked out due to broadcasting restrictions at the time (games could not be broadcast within a 75 mile radius of the home team).
Also, from the way people used to talk, you would think that everyone from Western PA was either at the game or watching it on television. I spent many a year thinking that I had seen the game on TV. But I was only six at the time, so you could forgive me my memory slip. Those of us not there only saw highlights shown later, because the game was blacked out due to broadcasting restrictions at the time (games could not be broadcast within a 75 mile radius of the home team).
This catch is so revered that the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh is raising money for a statue to be built on the exact location of the Immaculate Reception. Three Rivers Stadium no longer stands, but by using global positioning, they say they have found the exact spot where Franco made history 40 years ago. They are even having a contest for fans to send in photos of them "Francoing" (duplicating the look from the photo at the top of this post).
The Steelers went on to play the Miami Dolphins the following week, but lost. But within a few short years, the Steelers, and the city of Pittsburgh, would be celebrating the team's first Super Bowl. If not for Franco Harris's "Immaculate Reception," who knows if that would have happened that quickly. But luckily, for those of us who are Steelers fans, we didn't have to find that out!
Articles:
It All Started With the Immaculate Reception -- An article on the Pittsburgh Steelers' website about the event.
Immaculate Reception Monument to be Unveiled -- Another article from the Steelers' website, this time about the new monument.
Couple Who Coined Name for Immaculate Reception Never Sought Credit -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article recalls how a young couple suggested the name to Myron Cope.
Immaculate Reception Football Means A Lot To Its Caretaker -- Another Post-Gazette article tells how Jim Baker ended up with this famous football.
Books and DVDs:
The 50 Greatest Plays in Pittsburgh Steelers Football History by Steve Hickoff
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Complete Illustrated History by Lew Freedman
Football Physics : The Science of the Game by Timothy Gay (includes a section on The Immaculate Reception)
The Pittsburgh Steelers: Behind the Steel Curtain (DVD) - one of the special features is about the 1972 playoff game
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