Fifty years later, the ‘Immaculate Reception’ still lifts Pittsburgh spirits

It was a 42-yard run into immortality and has been voted the greatest play in NFL history. On the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, Pittsburgh folk recall how it boosted morale during the collapse of the steel industry and has served as a cultural rallying point ever since

IMMACULATE: Pittsburgh Steelers' running back Franco Harris is mobbed by fans at Three Rivers Stadium after scoring the winning touchdown in the AFC semi-final against Oakland. Harris made the touchdown on a tipped pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to Frenchy Fuqua to Harris for the score in the fourth quarter.

AND it came to pass — actually, quarterback Terry Bradshaw came to pass, but bear with us. This is a story about football, culture and religion, so it seems right to begin with some biblical phrasing.

Thus, Bradshaw barely got off the pass, which was deflected in a collision between defender and receiver. Everyone thought the game was over except a hustling fullback, Franco Harris. He made an improbable shoestring catch and raced into the end zone, securing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-ever playoff win, the start of a long dynasty.