"The Immaculate Reception" or "The Immaculate Deception"? You decide. The #Steelers-#Raiders AFC Divisional Playoff December 23, 1972

The key is that the ball was deflected by Jack Tatum, and two angles -- the one from behind Bradshaw & the slow-motion at the end -- make it clear that it hit Tatum & nobody else. If he'd done anything except try to kill the receiver the Raiders would have won. Just karma, baby.

I always thought Tatum was too interested in giving a big hit instead of playing the ball

Today people would say this is rigged lol

The argument wasn’t whether the ball hit the ground, it didn’t, it’s whether the ball hit a Pittsburgh player before Franco caught it. In those days you couldn’t advance a ball that hit one of your teammates first.

Reception, call on the field is comfirmed thanks to Harry Frye of the Beaver County Times. #HereWeGo

The moment that changed everything for the Steelers Franchise won nothing in its previous 40 years, not even a single playoff appearance Afterwards the ‘70’s dynasty and lots more winning Watched it on live TV age 12 and learned new rules too

I watched a documentary that took a scientific approach to analyzing what happened . The interviewees were all scientists. And, they still couldn’t come up w a conclusion. It’s like an important second of what happened is missing. PS. Rest In Peace Jack & Franco ❤️

The controversy was NEVER about whether the ball touched the ground, it didn’t. It was whether it hit another Steeler prior to the Franco’s catch.

Reception, ya crybabies

If Tatum had done his job properly by playing the ball instead of trying to murder the receiver, this wouldn't be a conversation.

Franco Harris clearly catches it before it hits the ground.

The ball didn't touch the ground, but it did hit the intended receiver. INCOMPLETE.

Harris never answered directly when asked if he one hopped the ball, he just smirked. Hard to tell from that angle with any certainty if Franco caught the ball cleanly, or not. There used to be a closeup, slow motion view shot from the facing endzone from NFL Films. That view made it appear Franco may have one hopped the ball. However, I can't find that video anywhere now, it seems to have been scrubbed? Regardless, there was no review back then so the touchdown counted. If Jack Tatum wasn't so intent on sending every receiver to the hospital, he could have intercepted the pass or knocked it down and this never would have happened. All for nothing because a week later the Dolphins beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship game 21-17 and went to Super Bowl VI where they beat the Washington Redskins 14-7.

It’s gooooooood! Legendary Franco Harris with the play of a lifetime. Nobody even close.

This is one of the reasons my Franco is the best. I was 10 years old and watched this with my mother. It was the best ever.💛🖤 always love my Steelers! I know my mom screams with me from heaven when I’m watching the games

I hope is was legit. Franco went to a rival high school in the late 60’s. As a nurses aide my Mom took care of his Mom at a rehab. When he visited Mom would say, “you’re so tall!” He would respond to my 5’ 1” Mom, “you’re so small!” He gave her a bunch of autographs!

Classic Tatum, going for the kill shot instead of the ball. 🙄

It never hit the ground, it never hit Fuqua. It was ruled a TD right away by officials. No controversy except with Raiders fans and steelers haters

This play was the fore runner of Instant Replay review. Officials clearly reviewed replays even though that wasn't allowed. Now serves as a great example of why video review should be abandoned. Over 50 years & thousands of reviews later; nobody agrees on what happened.

If it happened today I’m not sure that there is enough to overturn the call on the field. The play stands.

Dolphins won the next week anyway.

The ball hit Tatum and deflected to Franco who made a heads up play.

I remember running through my house in Indiana screaming after watching that play, which is kind of strange looking back, since I was 14 and the only one home. My Napoleon Dynamite moment, I guess. Watched Franco's last games with my own kids in Seattle in 1984.😎

Most overrated play in sports history. - way more luck than skill - they didn’t win the SB that year anyway Cool play but there are dozens that were just as cool, based on skill, and led to championships. Why is this always #1? So lazy.

Ball hit Tatum first and Franco Harris caught it. Nothing to decide.

The ball hit Frenchy Fugua therefore it should have been incomplete pass.

Depends on team loyalties. George Atkinson always called it "The Immaculate Deception".

here's my decision. you're a

Catch

It hit tatum

Reception

Why worry so much about rules? This was clearly ordained by the gods as a start to the greatest dynasty in football history!

It hit the Raider DB.

He definitely caught it that was never the question. Back then the rule was if the ball hit an offensive player it had to be touched by defensive player prior to another offensive player touching it. The debate was did the ball hit Fuqua or Tatum. If Fuqua the catch illegal