Madden’s done talking about the Immaculate Reception. The Immaculate Reception is a very famous NFL play that took place during the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders which resulted in a controversial final play in which the Steelers were trailing 6-7, were facing 4th and 10 at their own 40 with only 22 seconds in the final quarter and the Steelers had no timeouts remaining to stop the clock. The wording from the 1972 NFL rule book that allowed Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception" touchdown to stand: "If a defensive player touches pass first, or simultaneously with or subsequent to its having been touched by only one eligible offensive player, then all offensive players become and remain eligible." Another widely held point of contention to the play was whether or not the ball had hit the ground before Harris snatched it and ran with it. Terry Bradshaw’s pass was deflected by Jack Tatum, and Harris scooped it up and scored. ... Bradshaw believes that, because Harris won’t clearly say he didn’t trap the ball against the ground, he probably did.

Did the ball last touch Fuqua before it caromed to Harris? On the run, Bradshaw spotted Fuqua open -- but so did Tatum.

The Immaculate Reception is the nickname given to one of the most famous plays in the history of American football.It occurred in the AFC divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 23, 1972.The play has been a source of unresolved controversy and speculation ever since. Bradshaw never had time to see Pearson, instead the play broke down and Bradshaw was forced to scramble away from pressure.

By know most people know the story.

The Immaculate Reception is recognized as the greatest play in NFL history, and part of the allure is the mystery many say still surrounds it. Wrong the immaculate reception was not a play it was a lucky break a happy accident. If you have … For many, it’s regarded as the play that signaled the turnaround in the fortunes of the Pittsburgh Steelers , who … If the ball bounced off Tatum, or if it bounced off Fuqua and then Tatum, the reception was legal, as a defensive player was the last to touch the ball. It …

The most bizarre play EVER in all sports. The ball and Tatum arrived at Fuqua at the same time.

The Immaculate Reception.

The final play started … Many agree with Del Rio, that the ball touched the ground, should’ve been ruled incomplete and that the Raiders should’ve won that game. If so – based on the rules at the time – it was an incomplete pass. Did the ball last touch Fuqua before it caromed to Harris? I obviously would pull for the Raiders if I was around back then and there was some illegal play by Pittsburgh on that play but I cant recall it.

The Immaculate Reception has been recognized as the greatest play in NFL history, and part of the allure is the mystery many say still surrounds it.

Immaculate Reception, did he catch the ball ? The Immaculate Reception is arguably the most famous play in NFL history. Update: I have never seen a video that shows him clearly catching the ball in my life and im 32 years old. Bradshaw threw the ball down field. Down 7-6, with 22 seconds remaining in the 1972 AFC Wild Card matchup, Terry Bradshaw threw a pass intended for John Fuqua. The NFL Films documentary covers the origin of the name Immaculate Reception (it started with a fan toast at a bar after the game). The play turned into the "Immaculate Reception." Did the ball graze the turf as Harris caught it? It was on a show on NFL Network some time ago.

The "Immaculate Reception" gave the Steelers their first postseason win in 25 years, and two years later Pittsburgh won the first of six Super Bowls. or did it hit the ground.