Sports History – December 23

The “Immaculate Reception.” In 1972, occurred in the AFC divisional playoff game of the between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders of the NFL at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were trailing in the last thirty seconds of the game. Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass attempt to John Fuqua. The ball bounced off the hands of Raiders safety Jack Tatum and, as it fell toward the ground, Steelers fullback Franco Harris scooped it up and ran for a game-winning touchdown. The play has been a source of unresolved controversy and speculation ever since, as many people have contended that the ball touched either Fuqua or the ground before Harris caught it, either of which would have resulted in an incomplete pass by the rules at the time.

 

Also:

1997 – Chicago Bulls’ coach Phil Jackson is quickest to reach 500 wins (682 games).
1997 – Colorado Avalanche player Jari Kurri is 8th NHL player to score 600 career goals.
2004 – Free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew signs a five-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2005 – Johnny Damon signs a US$52 million, four-year deal to play for the New York Yankee