PS the play spawned a friendship between Harris and Villapiano that will stretch beyond their lifetimes. After Franco passed last December, Phil stated that their children will continue the tradition of the December 23 call after they are both gone.
There's no mystery to it. The ball couldn't have been propelled backwards at that speed & distance unless it ricocheted off of Jack Tatum. And according to the double touch rule at the time, once a defender touches it, the ball is still live which it was when Franco caught it.
And Madden 5:53 is lying. When Franco ran into the end zone, the nearest official signaled touchdown. The conference was a courtesy to the RAIDERS to make sure he was correct.
Trailing the Oakland Raiders 7-6, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced fourth-and-10 on their own 40-yard line with 22 seconds remaining in the game and no time-outs.
Stephen Dubner got his Catholic feast days mixed up, he was trying to talk about the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, but the feast day he ended up talking about was the Visitation of Mary.
Fuqua admitted it hit him. The physics guy isn't addressing the most obvious possibility that the ball first contacted Fuqua who was then drilled by Tatum launching the ball backwards where it was picked up off the ground by Harris who ran into the end zone thanks to a clip. (Guess who I root for!)
Pretty close. He died 3 days short. Which is awful. Great man...and I am a lifelong Raiders fan. I think Raider Nation always admired and respected Harris.
Too bad this hasn't been updated to include the Oakland all-22 that surfaced after Madden's death that at the very least adds more proof that Franco's catch was not a trap.
The guy on D i think number 31 went to hit the WR or TE instead of going for the ball so the pass hit him almost in his numbers so it bounced and Franco just happen to be in the right place , right time and we have NFL history and some in the game we have lost so RIP and just enjoy the play as a fan think Bills vs Titans thats play never gets talked about .
Officials would "conference" back then to wait for a signal from the press box, where reporters had access to instant replays. That's why they almost always got it right.
That part at the start about the airport I can understand... It is disrespectful to Franco that the statue of G-Wash is the same size and seems equal to an actual miracle man.... Statue of Franco should be bigger and placed at a higher pedestal. How do I start a petition to recommend the change?
I grew up in Pittsburgh and we were always told that the phone call was made to somebody that was in charge of security. Meaning can you protect us when we leave the field the answer was no so naturally they called it a touchdown if you didn’t grow up in Pittsburgh, you have no idea how bad the Steelers were, and this was the very beginning of their dynasty.
18:00 -18:11.........is an experience that borders on the religious ........a supernatural experience for every Pittsburgh Steeler fan who was living at that time.
Franco was in the zone, he caught the ball. If it had bounced of the turf he would not have flowed like he did in the catch, nor the rest of the play. As for who it bounced off of, it did not come out of the catchers hands. That bounce does not happen of of something soft. The angle of that bounce looks like it came off the Raider's helmet, or shoulder pad.... given the collision I do not expect him or Frenchie to know who made the contact. It almost looked like it could have been an interception if the focus wasn't on clobbering the reciever.
Atkinson seems like a Bitter old man about this. 1. The Steelers didn't win their First Super Bowl until 2 years later. 2. The Raiders would win the Super Bowl 4 years later and Madden was coach too.
"The Immaculate Reception", "The Tuck Rule", "The Holy Roller", "The Sea of Hands"... Seems like the Raiders are always involved when it comes to wacky and controversial plays, good or bad. 🤔
Franco and Foo (Phil) actually met in high school in NJ. After the Immaculate Reception, they became great friends and called each other every December 23rd and would also occasionally go to each other's charity events. Foo was on his way to Pittsburgh to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the IR when he learned that Franco had passed away. So now, he calls Franco's son Dok every December 23rd. Theirs was a great friendship.
They called it a catch, talked about for 15 minutes, it's a catch, even if the ball touched the ground (Which it didn't) , as long as he had control of it as it did, its still a catch
Ok RUclips do your stuff I am looking for anyone who actually witnessed the immaculate reception at the game my father who is now 69 years old was there with his 2 best friends both of whom are still alive to this day and my dad for years has said he’s wanted to meet someone else who was seriously there that day and want to make it happen for him anyone who was there and witnessed it please respond thank you
the debate is whether it touched the defender or receiver first. if it touched the receiver first its a dead ball from incomplete pass. that was the rule at the time.
Mikey Hayden went to St Peter's grade school on Pittsburgh's North Side, where his 7th and 8th grade football coach was Dan Rooney. Mikey became a ballboy for the Steelers, and eventually became an equipment manager for the Steelers while in college. After college, he went on to a military career and - as General Michael V. Hayden - became head of the CIA.
That was no reception the tip of the ball touched the ground I mean they always make the same question if it hit the ground they never really answer plus people say that when it happened fans stormed in the field so no chance to overturn or what really happened
I think you are confusing this Franco's Italian Army with Franco's Spanish Army aka Spanish Army. Franco was half Italian hence the slogan Franco's Italian Army.
@@PuppetMa5teRI'm not the one who's confusing the very real fascist army that Franco used to run his dictatorship in Spain with the imaginary non-existent Italian army he was never a member of, Steelers fans are the ones who are confused
Here’s the army they’re talking about, a fan club for Steelers running back Franco Harris (African American father, Italian mother), nothing to do with the Spanish dictator ruclips.net/video/t-OXxXd0mD8/видео.htmlsi=9PPEB9WLoE9dfTgX
Why is this still being celebrated when the ref, and the NFL, 35 years later,admitted that was an illegal play, and shouldn't of counted, and the ref said he was too scared at the time to reverse the ruling because all the fans ran onto the field
@slimischillin7753 no it doesn't, they been calling it that since it happened! My thing is, once the NFL, and the ref in the game came out 35 years later, this play should be shown and told the truth, but they won't because this is the first of 2 NFL teams to cheat the RAIDERS in the afc championship game and become a dynasty afterwards, 2nd being the tuck rule that was used the 1st time ever in that game, and never again
You sound bitter…the play happened and it was ruled a catch with a result cemented in the history books as a win. Therefore, regardless of what you or anyone else wants to say or think, the play happened and it’s as real as these words you’re reading today. As for the naming…do you understand what the commenter is saying? He said it just ADDS to the name? Emasculate reception…yeah, it was always named that, but maybe look up the word “Immaculate” and then you’ll understand the irony. The fact that it was called so much into question at the time and named the “Immaculate Reception” then supposedly proven to be an “illegally” catch, that literally ADDS to the name, because despite the overwhelming evidence of an illegal catch, it is still ruled as legal and resulted to in a major change of events in history.
@michaelscott33 you sound stupid, the NFL ruled it was an illegal play, what part of that didn't you understand? Your opinion is irrelevant because it was ruled on already! The NFL contacted the RAIDERS and told them the play should not of counted! Period
There was no review system for plays back then, so the scored couldn’t have been overturned without definitive word from the officials. The play was called and reviewed by the refs in real time, they don’t have the power of hindsight and 35 years to dissect this play like many have. You’re a bitter Raiders fan, typical. Go cry about the tuck rule and more football facts you know nothing of😂😭
The "phone call from the Commissioner" to Frenchy Fuqua is hilarious as part of his schtick in telling the story..
PS the play spawned a friendship between Harris and Villapiano that will stretch beyond their lifetimes. After Franco passed last December, Phil stated that their children will continue the tradition of the December 23 call after they are both gone.
There's no mystery to it. The ball couldn't have been propelled backwards at that speed & distance unless it ricocheted off of Jack Tatum. And according to the double touch rule at the time, once a defender touches it, the ball is still live which it was when Franco caught it.
💯 facts.
And Madden 5:53 is lying. When Franco ran into the end zone, the nearest official signaled touchdown. The conference was a courtesy to the RAIDERS to make sure he was correct.
Rest in peace Franco Harris 🙏 😭
Immaculate Reception, Miraculous Reception, IImmaculate Deception, Magnificent Obstruction, Immaculate Clip .... Seems like all these dudes got marketing degrees
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY IMMACULATE RECEPTION & RIP FRANCO HARRIS
Trailing the Oakland Raiders 7-6, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced fourth-and-10 on their own 40-yard line with 22 seconds remaining in the game and no time-outs.
Stephen Dubner got his Catholic feast days mixed up, he was trying to talk about the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, but the feast day he ended up talking about was the Visitation of Mary.
I assume you were raised Catholic like me. Let's give the guy a break. We got a LOT o' feast days. Hard to keep up.
One of the top 10 famous plays in the history of American team sports, probably top 5.
Probably number 1.
@@jaggedstarrPITuck Rule was bigger.
@@ah2552yeah...I could go either way.
Both AWFUL!
41:03 The call was right. Hits the defender hitting Fuqua. I believe the physics guy and that freeze frame.
Fuqua admitted it hit him. The physics guy isn't addressing the most obvious possibility that the ball first contacted Fuqua who was then drilled by Tatum launching the ball backwards where it was picked up off the ground by Harris who ran into the end zone thanks to a clip.
(Guess who I root for!)
"We don't indoctrinate them" - Proceeds to indoctrinate them. Go Steelers!
Rest in peace Franco Harris
He made his wife put on the helmet and jersey 😂😂😂
There are NO! FLAGS! ON! THE! FIELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLD!!!
Detroit fan here to say that THIS is my favorite play, ever.
It's weird that a city with 6 Super Bowl titles is this obsessed with 1 particular play.
All these years i always thought the dispute was if the ball touched the ground before Franco Harris got thr ball
So sad Franco passed on the 50th anniversary of the immaculate reception
Pretty close. He died 3 days short. Which is awful. Great man...and I am a lifelong Raiders fan. I think Raider Nation always admired and respected Harris.
Greatest play in NFL history?? It's definitely friggin up there for sure!!! Being a Cowboys fan it kills me to say that 🤬
Well, the Cowboys did have the original "Hail Mary" play in the '75 playoffs..
@@andrewpadaetz5549True!!!
You mean the pass interference that wasn't called.@@andrewpadaetz5549
Those security guys guarding a football made my actually laugh out loud
I think it's funny he believes those security guards could be loyal. Flash more money then he pays them and I bet they'll help you steal ball from him
@@marcelmiller7551 Honor without display is still alive sir!
@@alphaomega8373 u think that
I know Right!!!!
Too bad this hasn't been updated to include the Oakland all-22 that surfaced after Madden's death that at the very least adds more proof that Franco's catch was not a trap.
Right place right time this made the nfl great😁
Can we get a Barry Switzer football life episode
That would be a good one
The guy on D i think number 31 went to hit the WR or TE instead of going for the ball so the pass hit him almost in his numbers so it bounced and Franco just happen to be in the right place , right time and we have NFL history and some in the game we have lost so RIP and just enjoy the play as a fan think Bills vs Titans thats play never gets talked about .
Jack Tatum was number 31 on the Raiders who hit Fuqua. The Music City Miracle was eventually shown to be a legitimate lateral
Officials would "conference" back then to wait for a signal from the press box, where reporters had access to instant replays. That's why they almost always got it right.
That guy really thinks those security guards would be loyal. Flash more money then he pays them and they'll help you steal ball from him
They already uploaded this like 40 times it's just a reupload they're cheating the algorithm
Met Franco in Nashville,Tn. Joe Gilliam football camp in 2000. 😢 #PS4L #RIPFRANCOHARRIS #HEREWEGO
My God Rest His Soul. #FrancoHarris
STEELERS MAKE IT TOUGH by APOLOGETIX a great football song
That part at the start about the airport I can understand... It is disrespectful to Franco that the statue of G-Wash is the same size and seems equal to an actual miracle man.... Statue of Franco should be bigger and placed at a higher pedestal. How do I start a petition to recommend the change?
The Oakland "all 22" coaches' film is now on youtube and doesn't clear anything up.
RIP FRANCO HARRIS
I think it was great the Franco and Phil V became good friends.
I disagree with Rocky when He said the catch didn't have any "sizzle" to it. Dwight Clark got hounded everywhere he went up until the day He died
I grew up in Pittsburgh and we were always told that the phone call was made to somebody that was in charge of security. Meaning can you protect us when we leave the field the answer was no so naturally they called it a touchdown if you didn’t grow up in Pittsburgh, you have no idea how bad the Steelers were, and this was the very beginning of their dynasty.
Does anyone know the music used in the first minute or so?
Fluke catch. It meant nothing seeing as they didn't go to the SB that year. 😂😂😂
Sparked 4 rings in 6 years bud
And 2 years later the greatest dynasty in NFL history was born! #PS4L
@marcusanderson933
2 years later the Patriots dynasty was born? You know... after all, you said "the greatest ever"
18:00 -18:11.........is an experience that borders on the religious ........a supernatural experience for every Pittsburgh Steeler fan who was living at that time.
Franco was in the zone, he caught the ball. If it had bounced of the turf he would not have flowed like he did in the catch, nor the rest of the play. As for who it bounced off of, it did not come out of the catchers hands. That bounce does not happen of of something soft. The angle of that bounce looks like it came off the Raider's helmet, or shoulder pad.... given the collision I do not expect him or Frenchie to know who made the contact. It almost looked like it could have been an interception if the focus wasn't on clobbering the reciever.
Atkinson seems like a Bitter old man about this. 1. The Steelers didn't win their First Super Bowl until 2 years later. 2. The Raiders would win the Super Bowl 4 years later and Madden was coach too.
wouldn't be the last time the Raiders got screwed by the rulebook
ASK TOM ( SHADY)
True!!!!
It’s not difficult. Anybody that has a basic understanding of physics can figure out the answer.
"The Immaculate Reception", "The Tuck Rule", "The Holy Roller", "The Sea of Hands"... Seems like the Raiders are always involved when it comes to wacky and controversial plays, good or bad. 🤔
Phil Villipiano is still whining about it.
I think he's whining less than his teammates. At least he acknowledges Franco made a good catch.
Phil is actually a really good friend of Franco's.
Franco and Foo (Phil) actually met in high school in NJ. After the Immaculate Reception, they became great friends and called each other every December 23rd and would also occasionally go to each other's charity events. Foo was on his way to Pittsburgh to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the IR when he learned that Franco had passed away. So now, he calls Franco's son Dok every December 23rd. Theirs was a great friendship.
They called it a catch, talked about for 15 minutes, it's a catch, even if the ball touched the ground (Which it didn't) , as long as he had control of it as it did, its still a catch
Not in that day
Nor in todays game, if it Touches the ground it’s incomplete! And the double touch rule is just stupid
If Tatum hit Fuqua first, it’s pass interference
that's what I was thinking too!
I can,t call it either way.....bit like England 1966 3rd goal
Hush! Super Bowl 5. John Mackie.
Immaculate Deception.
Never heard of such a thing
Franco just asked God. It was a catch.
We Was Robbed!.
I'm one of McMakin's relatives
Ok RUclips do your stuff I am looking for anyone who actually witnessed the immaculate reception at the game my father who is now 69 years old was there with his 2 best friends both of whom are still alive to this day and my dad for years has said he’s wanted to meet someone else who was seriously there that day and want to make it happen for him anyone who was there and witnessed it please respond thank you
I wasn't at the stadium but I did see it on yt about 10 seconds ago if that helps.
I don’t get what’s controversial, it bounced off of someone and it was still in the air making it a live ball
the debate is whether it touched the defender or receiver first. if it touched the receiver first its a dead ball from incomplete pass. that was the rule at the time.
Frenchy redirects it with his left hand and then it ricochets off of Tatum's left hand with backspin
ruclips.net/video/hB7I2-HUTwc/видео.html
Frenchy….. did you touch the ball??? Maybe … maybe not lol
Why the hell is a former director of the CIA in this documentary?
Mikey Hayden went to St Peter's grade school on Pittsburgh's North Side, where his 7th and 8th grade football coach was Dan Rooney. Mikey became a ballboy for the Steelers, and eventually became an equipment manager for the Steelers while in college. After college, he went on to a military career and - as General Michael V. Hayden - became head of the CIA.
@MrPerfesser nobody cares
@@codyparden9615 Well, you cared enough to ask and I cared enough to take time to answer your question.
@@MrPerfesser good point
3rd, like a typical Titans fan
just another place that people will travel to so they can actually see what really happened in the future after time travel is invented.
Ball hit the ground and he knows it
DITTO! BALL HIT THE GROUND ALL THESE YEARS PAST THEY NEVER SHOULD'VE GONE BGG TO THE SB!
They never show the full catch its a fraud
That was no reception the tip of the ball touched the ground I mean they always make the same question if it hit the ground they never really answer plus people say that when it happened fans stormed in the field so no chance to overturn or what really happened
They’ve had fans rush the field many times before and cleared them off to finish a game.
Raider fan?
@@urboihaz no 49ers fan
@@michaelscott33 you can watch clips of it and see
Nope, great catch.
Post about Andrew lucks comeback in 2013
More they cheated to win
That was a Bullsheet that was NOT a T.D.
Thats pass inference by todays standards
BALL HIT THE GROUND!
Why celebrate Christmas?
5th
Nothing but woke cringe garbage
True!!!!
Woke is fake and has nothing to do with football.
second
First
Franco's army was Spanish, not Italian 😂
I think you are confusing this Franco's Italian Army with Franco's Spanish Army aka Spanish Army. Franco was half Italian hence the slogan Franco's Italian Army.
@@PuppetMa5teRI'm not the one who's confusing the very real fascist army that Franco used to run his dictatorship in Spain with the imaginary non-existent Italian army he was never a member of, Steelers fans are the ones who are confused
@@xp7575steeler fans always confused, they call themselves steel curtain, steeler country and terrible towels which is it? 😂
Here’s the army they’re talking about, a fan club for Steelers running back Franco Harris (African American father, Italian mother), nothing to do with the Spanish dictator
ruclips.net/video/t-OXxXd0mD8/видео.htmlsi=9PPEB9WLoE9dfTgX
Why is this still being celebrated when the ref, and the NFL, 35 years later,admitted that was an illegal play, and shouldn't of counted, and the ref said he was too scared at the time to reverse the ruling because all the fans ran onto the field
That just adds to why it’s immaculate and notorious
@slimischillin7753 no it doesn't, they been calling it that since it happened! My thing is, once the NFL, and the ref in the game came out 35 years later, this play should be shown and told the truth, but they won't because this is the first of 2 NFL teams to cheat the RAIDERS in the afc championship game and become a dynasty afterwards, 2nd being the tuck rule that was used the 1st time ever in that game, and never again
You sound bitter…the play happened and it was ruled a catch with a result cemented in the history books as a win. Therefore, regardless of what you or anyone else wants to say or think, the play happened and it’s as real as these words you’re reading today.
As for the naming…do you understand what the commenter is saying? He said it just ADDS to the name? Emasculate reception…yeah, it was always named that, but maybe look up the word “Immaculate” and then you’ll understand the irony. The fact that it was called so much into question at the time and named the “Immaculate Reception” then supposedly proven to be an “illegally” catch, that literally ADDS to the name, because despite the overwhelming evidence of an illegal catch, it is still ruled as legal and resulted to in a major change of events in history.
@michaelscott33 you sound stupid, the NFL ruled it was an illegal play, what part of that didn't you understand? Your opinion is irrelevant because it was ruled on already! The NFL contacted the RAIDERS and told them the play should not of counted! Period
There was no review system for plays back then, so the scored couldn’t have been overturned without definitive word from the officials. The play was called and reviewed by the refs in real time, they don’t have the power of hindsight and 35 years to dissect this play like many have. You’re a bitter Raiders fan, typical. Go cry about the tuck rule and more football facts you know nothing of😂😭