Urban Legends of the NFL: Did Frightened Refs Stage the Immaculate Reception?

October 5, 2016   ·   Mike Tanier   ·   Jump to comments

The most important play in NFL history had just occurred, and no one knew what the heck just happened.
The intended receiver and primary defender were lying on the turf in a daze. Several of the officials missed the key moment. Even the television cameras and film crews weren't quite ready for what took place. 
The Immaculate Reception was the stuff of urban legend the moment Franco Harris crossed the goal line to secure a 13-7 win and a trip to the AFC Championship Game.
There are several tales intertwined around the Immaculate Reception. We will touch on a few but focus on one: that the referees only called the play a touchdown, instead of an illegally deflected pass, out of fear for their own safety. Officiating crew chief Fred Swearingen saw Steelers fans toppling onto the field and ran to the Three Rivers Stadium dugout to call stadium security. When the safety of the officials couldn't be assured, he signaled a potentially life-saving touchdown.
Or so the...

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