50 years ago, Franco Harris' miracle catch turned the tide for the Steelers

[Joe Cool]

[link:https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/12/21/pittsburgh-steelers-immaculate-reception-franco-harris-frenchy-fuqua-raiders-anniversary/stories/202212220010|

It has been 50 years since one incredible, barroom-debating, physics-defining, still-disputed moment changed the course of a franchise, exhilarated a city and would become to be known as the greatest single play in NFL history.

December 23, 1972. Appropriately, the (black and) golden anniversary.

The Immaculate Reception.

A moniker as great as the play itself.

[aggiesal]

1. If you didn't see the game live ...

none of these stories actually mention why this play was so controversial.

Back in 1972, there was a rule that if an offensive teammate touches the ball while trying to make a catch, then another offensive teammate could not catch the ball.
The Raiders argued that Jack Tatum knocked the ball out of the Steelers receivers hands, thus negating Harris's catch.
It took forever to make that decision. Since there was no replay back then, no referee would say that they saw Tatum knock the ball out of the Steelers receivers hands, especially in Pittsburgh.
So after about 5 -10 minutes of discussion, they finally deemed it a legal catch.

I hated the Raiders, so I was rooting for the Steelers to get the call.