The most talked about play in NFL history was the 'Immaculate Reception' in a 1972 Steelers-Raiders playoff game. Franco Harris caught a last-minute touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw. Under 1972 NFL rules, an offensive player could not legally catch a forward pass that had been last touched by a teammate. To this day a debate rages about who last touched the ball before Harris. Was it Jack Tatum of the Oakland Raiders or Frenchy Fuqua of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Judge for yourself. Tags:ImmaculateReceptionFrancoHarris Added: 5th January 2008 Views: 340 Rating: Posted By:Lava1964
If the game was played today it wouldn't be a big deal because the NFL changed its rules about the legality of deflected forward passes. The big deal in 1972 was whether the ball last touched Raider Jack Tatum or Steeler Frenchy Fuqua before Franco Harris caught it. Under 1972 rules, one play was legal the other was not.
I would think at the time it was caught it was not a forward pass it was going the other direction. How if it were deflected forward then it would still be a forward pass. What do you think.
A forward pass in football is determined by the direction the ball was travelling when it left the passer's hand. A deflection has no bearing on the ruling of a forward pass. The debate on this famous play hinges on whether it last hit Tatum or Fuqua before Harris catch.
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