Even decades after the game, people still wonder why it is called the Immaculate Reception. There had just been the most significant drama in NFL antiquity, and nobody realized what the hell had only occurred.
The principal defender, as well as the planned receiver, were both stumbling to the ground. The crucial second was overlooked by a few of the authorities. Even the movie and broadcast tv crew members were still not prepared for what happened.
As soon as Franco Harris reached the goal line to guarantee a 13-7 victory and a journey to the AFC Tournament, The Immaculate Reception became the material of urban folklore. Surrounding the Immaculate Reception, various stories are entangled.
We’ll connect on certain, but we’ll concentrate on a single thread: that out of concern for their protection, the referees, hardly named the game a touchdown rather than an unlawfully volleyed pass.
Even now, years after the legendary game, there is still some disagreement regarding the validity of the touchdown made by Franco Harris for the Steelers team of Pittsburgh. These days, a replay system would provide the answers to the game’s mysteries.
Has Jack Tatum, security for the Oakland Raiders, returned the ball? Or was Harris the recipient of Terry Bradshaw’s run that was repelled by Steelers defensive back John Fuqua?
What tends to make the game wonderful is the secret of it, according to Neil Zender, who created a display on NFL Broadcast around the Fortieth anniversary of the legendary play. Did the projectile pinch the home ground as Harris captured it? Both the Steelers as well as the Raiders have their option of observing, one as it is the work of God other as foul play.
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What Happened In The Play?
The Immaculate Reception video clip from NFL Films is arguably the most well-known sports moment in American heritage. For spectators, it is equivalent to the Mona Lisa.
However, similar to the Mona Lisa, it is so well-known that it is simple to take its elegance and importance for given. The game was the subject of an entire show by A Football Life 40 years after it had taken place.
Nevertheless, that program was created in 2012. Several of the old-timers repeated their stories for the thousandth or so moment, but you are aware of how exaggerated stories can become after years of repetition. Mentor Chuck Noll of the Steelers referred to a play known as the 66 Circle Option when his team was down 7-6 and without any delay left on a consecutive fourth down.
The Raiders passing game caused the play to collapse quickly, forcing Terry Bradshaw to fumble and hurl to John Fuqua.
As soon as the ball touched down, Raiders’ Jack Tatum bashed into Fuqua. Franco Harris, then a rookie, caught the ball as it bounced straight back into his direction and ended up running 60 yards to score. The only standout feature any of us had seen for many years ended there.
A pass that was affected, struck or diverted by either offensive teammate after having left the quarterback’s palm was not permitted to be legitimately caught by a receiver per NFL regulations in 1972. It was unclear to authorities as to if Bradshaw’s throw had struck Tatum and otherwise Fuqua. They, therefore, gathered together.
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Why Is It Called The Immaculate Reception?
In a play on the previously occurred Catholic Celebration of said Immaculate Conception, which also commemorates the conviction that the Virgin Mary birthed Jesus without wrongdoing, Cope received the concept from a person on the phone whose male friend had come up with the title in a barroom celebration party.
The late Tatum, who claimed he never simulated the shot, passed away in 2010. Thus, the game was done without sin or folly, which is why it is called the Immaculate Reception.
George Atkinson, a recently departed defensive back player for the Raiders, seconds that and refers to the game as the Immaculate Deception. Atkinson informed NFL Films that Jack Tatum struck Fuqua’s head back as he was catching the ball.
The ball can be seen edging closer to Tatum’s shoulder blade in NBC’s finished shot. It appears as though Tatum handles the ball in the video clipping. However, it’s hazy, and Tatum, as well as Fuqua’s crash, is only partially visible, earning the victory.
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