In the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, a historic moment happened that still sends chills down the spines of football fans. The score was tied at 7-7 with only seconds left on the clock, and the Steelers were down to their last play. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass intended for running back John Fuqua, but it was deflected by Raiders safety Jack Tatum and sent flying into the air.

Then, out of nowhere, another Steelers running back, Franco Harris, appeared and miraculously caught the football just inches from the ground. He sprinted towards the end zone, dodging Raiders defenders left and right, and finally crossed the goal line for the game-winning touchdown.

The play, later dubbed “The Immaculate Reception,” was controversial from the start. Some argued that the ball had touched Fuqua before Harris caught it, which would have made the play illegal. But after a lengthy review, the officials ruled that the ball had only hit Tatum, making the play legal and cementing its place in football history.

The impact of The Immaculate Reception still resonates today, not only because of its incredible acrobatics and improbable outcome but because it represented a turning point for the Steelers’ franchise. Pittsburgh had been a perennial loser until this game, but the play propelled them to their first-ever Super Bowl win two weeks later.

For Harris, the greatest beneficiary of the stunning play, it became a defining moment in his career. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career and remains one of the most beloved players in Steelers history. And for fans, The Immaculate Reception continues to evoke the kind of excitement and wonder that only football can bring.