There have been numerous games in sports history decided by one moment. One of the most famous instances of this came in a late-December NFL playoff game in 1972.

On this day, December 23rd, in 1972, Franco Harris makes the Immaculate Reception for the Steelers against the Oakland Raiders.  The catch game on a big stage at a pivotal point in the AFC divisional playoff game.  On a fourth and ten play, down by one point, with little more than a minute remaining in the game, Steelers’ quarterback Terry Bradshaw through a pass to running back John Fuqua.  Fuqua was hit as the pass arrived, sending the ball flying end over end into the outstretched hands of Franco Harris, the Steelers’ fullback.  Harris caught the ball at the Raiders’ 43-yard line and ran the remaining length of the field for the game winning score.

The Immaculate Reception is one of the most memorable plays in football, but it did not come without a great deal of controversy.  Raiders fans still dispute the legality of the catch to this day and the coach of the 1972 Raiders, John Madden, has declared that he will never get over the play’s outcome.