What's your perception of the Immaculate Reception? GoErie.com, Times-News wants to know
It was listed as 66 Circle Option in the Pittsburgh Steelers' playbook.
Coach Chuck Noll, with the team down 7-6 to the Oakland Raiders, called it with 22 seconds left in their Dec. 23, 1972, AFC division playoff game vs. the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium.
Noll chose the play as one of the few viable ones the Steelers had to convert a mandatory first down on fourth-and-10 from their own 40-yard line.
Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, upon taking the snap from center Jim Clack, was to look for rookie wide receiver Barry Pearson as his prime and — given the situation — only viable passing target.
Even if the play worked as designed, there still was no guarantee Pittsburgh would have scored in a game with only 13 points recorded at that point.
What happened next was history.
Steelers history.
NFL history.
Maybe even American sports history.
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Franco Harris, the Steelers' star rookie running back at that time, scored the most improvised of 60-yard touchdown receptions.
What was called 66 Circle Option at its start was forever known as the Immaculate Reception hours after its conclusion.
Harris' touchdown, the difference in the Steelers' 13-7 victory, is still widely considered the greatest play over the NFL's 103 seasons.
Dec. 23 marks the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, which remains miraculous and, especially for Raiders' fans, controversial to this day.
It also had one notable Erie connection to it. Tech Memorial graduate Fred Biletnikoff, who went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver over 14 seasons for Oakland, was on their sideline for the team's sudden loss.
The Erie Times-News is looking for Erie residents with a connection to that iconic play from a half-century ago.
If you were at that game (honor system, please) or had a unique experience watching it on TV, and would like to be included in the story, please send contact information to Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com or sports@timesnews.com.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: GoErie.com, Times-News seeks to catch memories of Immaculate Reception
