The 'Immaculate Reception' is one of the most celebrated and controversial plays in NFL history, occurring during an AFC playoff game. With less than a minute left in the game and the Pittsburgh Steelers trailing the Oakland Raiders, quarterback Terry Bradshaw scrambled to make a desperate throw downfield. The ball was intended for running back John Frenchy Fuqua but ricocheted off of him before it was caught by Franco Harris just inches above the ground. Harris then dashed towards the end zone, completing the play that stunned both fans at the stadium and viewers at home.

This miraculous catch not only secured the Steelers a 13-7 victory, but it also marked their first playoff win in franchise history. The game took place at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and its outcome contributed to the Steelers' rise to dominance in the NFL throughout the 1970s. The play ignited a new level of enthusiasm among the team's fans, paving the way for future success, which included four Super Bowl titles in the decade.

The term 'Immaculate Reception' was coined soon after the game, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the play. It has been analyzed, debated, and celebrated in NFL lore, often cited as a key moment in the Steelers' history and symbolizing the emotional highs of sports triumphs. Franco Harris, who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, became a household name thanks to this one play, forever qualifying him as a crucial figure in the team's annals.