What is the Immaculate Reception? Remembering late Steelers icon Franco Harris’ legendary play coined the greatest in league history

Franco Harris, the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers running back, recently passed away at the age of 72. Harris will forever be connected to arguably the greatest play in NFL history: the Immaculate Reception.

Harris was in his first season in the NFL when the famous play took place. The play took place on Dec. 23, 1972 during the AFC Divisional Round game between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium.

The Steelers were down by a score of 7 - 3 with 22 seconds left in the game. On fourth down, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass intended for running back John Fuqua. However, the ball ricocheted off either the helmet of Raiders All-Pro safety Jack Tatum or the hands of Fuqua.

Ultimately, Harris caught it just before the ball hit the turf and ran it 60 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

The Hall of Famer running back spoke about the play hours before his passing, saying it blew his mind how fast it all happened. Here's what Franco Harris said on “Mad Dog Unleashed” on SiriusXM radio:

“You know what, when I watch the film I can’t remember anything of the play past just leaving the backfield. But when I see the film, and I see it in real time, it just blows my mind how quick that is … And I have no idea how I reacted so quickly and got it and kept in stride."

Harris continued:

"And even looked up a little bit to try and get the lay of the land … I’m saying, ‘How did all that happen in just those few seconds? It didn’t make any sense. Like, I just don’t understand it.”

In the play, Harris was supposed to be a blocker in the backfield before going for the ball. Harris passed away days before the NFL was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the play.

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Franco Harris and his immaculate rookie season

Franco Harris was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft out of Penn State. As a rookie, he finished sixth in the league in rushing yards with 1,055 and third in touchdowns with 10. Harris won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and made the first of his nine career Pro Bowls that season.

As Harris' family mourns his loss, his place was cemented in NFL history 50 years ago with the Immaculate Reception. The league and Steelers will now also remember Franco Harris during the Steelers' game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve in Week 16.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will retire Harris' number 32 jersey at halftime of the game, making him the third Steelers legend to have his jersey retired.