Franco Harris’ ‘Immaculate Reception’ was ‘illegal catch,’ radio caller claims
Franco Harris died earlier this week, just days before the 50th anniversary of his “Immaculate Reception.”
His Pittsburgh Steelers were set to retire Harris’ No. 32 in a ceremony Saturday against the Las Vegas Raiders, the same team Harris scored that legendary touchdown against.
Saturday’s ceremony will now be one of remembrance not only for the play but Harris’ life.
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But a caller on ESPN New York radio wanted to remember Harris differently. Louie in New Jersey called 98.7’s “The Michael Kay Show” to contest the legality of the catch.
“I feel bad for the guy dying … That was an illegal catch,” Louie said.
Louie does have an argument that’s never quite been fully settled.
The widespread belief — and the call made on the field — is the pass deflected off Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum, but there is also widespread contention that the ball actually hit off the Steelers’ John Fuqua.
Back then, a batted ball by an offensive player could not be advanced by another offensive player. By rule, only the first offensive player to touch the ball was eligible to make a catch, unless a defender touched it afterward.
“I’m 79, I remember it. [Raiders defensive back] Jack Tatum did not touch the ball,” Louie said, suggesting Fuqua touched the ball, and only he should have been eligible to catch the ball and advance it.
John Madden, the Raiders’ head coach at the time, initially believed the ball touched Tatum but later said he would “never know for sure what happened.” Tatum himself, while initially stating the ball never touched him, later acknowledged he wasn’t sure.
The Steelers lost the AFC Championship the following week to the 17-0 Miami Dolphins.
