Dec 21, 2007 7:01 pm US/Eastern
Steelers Mark Immaculate Reception 35 Years Later
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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The Heinz History Center is honoring the 35th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception with a special display.
KDKA
The Immaculate Reception is one of the most famous plays in the NFL.
While it may feel like it happened just yesterday, this weekend actually marks the 35th anniversary of the famous play by Steelers great, Franco Harris.
It was December 23, 1972, there was 22 seconds left on the clock and it was 4th down and ten as the Steelers trailed Oakland by one. That's when Harris caught the ball out of the air.
The play was a turning point for the Steelers. It reversed four decades of futility and opened the gate to four Super Bowl championships.
"It really was about an incredible year that started an incredible decade," says Harris.
Now, the Heinz History Center has a special display honoring that special Steelers moment and Harris himself says he can't believe it's been 35 years.
"It seems like yesterday," adds Harris. "It definitely is a great memory, but 35 years when you look back it goes so fast."
The Heinz History Exhibit has the shoes Harris wore, the original turf with the exact spot of the catch marked.
There's also a salute to Franco's Italian Army, his first Super Bowl Championship ring and video clips of the play itself.
It's all in honor of the play that the Rooney family says they feel is the most important in the history of the National Football League.
"Well I guess as the Pittsburgh Steelers we like to think so, but I'm sure all the other teams have a play that's biggest to them," says Harris. "But the Steelers Nation, this one probably is."
"When people look at this play I want them to see that this was the greatest team to ever play in the NFL," adds Harris.
He says every five years he celebrates the Immaculate Reception.
This year, he'll get together with his old Steelers teammates for a special dinner.
The display at the Heinz History Center is part of a salute to the Steelers 75th Season celebration, which runs until early February.
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