I’ve never fully understood the controversy around this play in terms of whether the ball hit Jack Tatum. It very obviously did.
From the 1972 NFL Rule Book: Rule 7, Section 5, Article 2, Item 2-c: Any forward pass (legal or illegal) becomes incomplete and ball is dead immediately if pass is caught by any [offensive] player after it has touched ineligible [offensive] player or second eligible [offensive player], and before any touching by [a defensive player]. The Penalty of this this infraction is a loss of down at the previous spot.
However, if a [defensive] player touches [the] pass first, or simultaneously with or subsequent to its having been touched by only one [offensive] player, then all [offensive] players become and remain eligible.
So when the ball made contact with Tatum, it instantly became legal for Franco to catch the ball.
Yet according to 50 years of whining by Raiders fans, I’m supposed to ignore my what my eyes plainly see and somehow believe this magic ball — which had already screamed PAST Frenchy Fuqua — somehow did NOT hit Jack Tatum square in the chest… even though the video clearly shows it did.
Nope. If you claim Tatum didn’t touch the ball, you’re a boob. Or a liar. Or both.
Regarding Franco’s catch, there’s also clear evidence of that. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/MjMsa5Yo6qQ
On the linked video, there’s an official standing RIGHT THERE, watching the catch. Franco catches it IN STRIDE — no hesitation, no trap… smooth as silk — and races into the end zone to win the game.
Rest in peace, Franco. You meant so much to the Steelers, to the city of Pittsburgh, and to the NFL. Your contributions will live forever. God bless your family.
20 Comments
The issue with the play is not so much Tatum or Fuqua. As John Madden said, when a guy carries the ball into the end zone, it's either a touchdown or it isn't. They didn't signal touchdown. The referee got on the phone to someone (no one knows for sure who). Al Locasale claimed that the ref asked about security to get them out of they rules that the ball hit Fuqua first, and they were told none, so the refs gave it to Pittsburgh. Not sure I believe it. But it took them nearly 15 minutes to make the call. Personally, I always thought the ball hit off Tatum; if he just goes for a tackle instead of trying to blast Fuqua into the cheap seats, it doesn't happen.😊
It is clear Steelers fans have used AI to doctor the footage to support this outrageous miscarriage of justice!
For any Raiders fan, this play will live in infamy.
Wait, is this the controversy about this play? I thought it was about whether or not the ball touched the ground after the collision
Who cares if he touched it did the ball hit the ground ? You need to see a front angle .
That, LITERALLY, couldn’t be less relevant
I'll never forget this as I was a teenager riding with my Dad near Ft. Donelson Tn. when this happened we were listening to the game on the car radio as we traveling for the holidays.
Of course the ball hit Tatum any dumb shxt knows that.
The ball NEVER hit Tatum it came off Fuqua
Plus the ball hit the turf before Harris "caught" it
PLUS Villapiano was clipped on the play
THREE of the worst non calls ever all in one play
Of course, it did. How else could it go back so fast? Credit to Villapiano for playing to the whistle. Two Raiders didn't. That was the difference.
John Madden always claimed the ball hit the ground when Franco caught it, thus ruling it a dead ball. That has never been proven. But he always hated the Steelers organization after this reception.
A terrible effort by the Raider DB to make a tackle.
Look at the end zone view when Harris "catches" the ball. It is always zoomed in so you don't see the tip of the ball. One time, one time only, I saw the zoomed out version. You see the ball hit the ground and it mini-bounces into Harris' hands. That's why the back judge ran to the referee, they conferred, then the referee ran to the Oakland sideline and called for more security. It was denied. The Oakland players heard that exchange. The referee then ran onto the field and signaled TD. Watch the zoomed out version of the "catch." If you can find it…
I’m 60, I’ve seen this play more than any other in my lifetime, 52 years later I’ll say what I said then…the ball NEVER touched Fuqua, TD Franco. And I’m a Browns fan so you know how I feel about the Steelers
Are we still crying about this??😂
Wrong. That’s the NFL films shot on film. There’s a video that shows the ball hitting the ground after the deflection and Franco picking up it on the bounce.
Thank you Jack Tatum for being one of the most incredibly stupid human beings to play football.
On 4th down you chose yourself over your team.
Knocking down the ball never crossed your mind.
Duhhhhhh
Number 20 on the Raiders, Jimmy Warren, is ineffective and helpless. Just helpless. Helpless to stop Franco.
WHAT does it matter if it hit tatum it is still a forward pass, doesnt matter if it deflects off 5 players just like a hail mary
REST IN PIECE FRANKO…THANKS FOR THE GREAT FOOTBALL MEMORIES YOU BLESSED US WITH !!!