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At 50, ‘Immaculate Reception’ still lifts a region’s spirits

FILE - Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie rejoices in his brother Darren's arms after B.C. defeats the Miami Hurricanes with a last second touchdown pass in Miami on Nov. 23, 1984. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. (AP Photo, File) FILE - A statue commemorating Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary" pass during an NCAA college football game is seen outside Alumni Stadium at Boston College in Boston on Aug. 14, 2009. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) Pittsburgh Steelers fans walk past a marker commemorating the exact spot where the 1972 "Immaculate Reception," was made by Franco Harris at Three Rivers Stadium, which once stood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Harris' scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown in a 1972 playoff victory against Oakland has been voted the greatest play in NFL history and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Pittsburgh Steelers fans walk past a marker commemorating the exact spot where the 1972 "Immaculate Reception," was made by Franco Harris at Three Rivers Stadium, which once stood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Harris' scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown in a 1972 playoff victory against Oakland has been voted the greatest play in NFL history and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Pittsburgh Steelers fans walk past a marker commemorating the exact spot where the 1972 "Immaculate Reception," was made by Franco Harris at Three Rivers Stadium, which once stood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Harris' scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown in a 1972 playoff victory against Oakland has been voted the greatest play in NFL history and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) FILE - Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris stands next a statute of himself on Sept. 12, 2019, at Pittsburgh International Airport near Pittsburgh. (Nate Guidry/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File) FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers' Franco Harris (32) eludes a tackle by Oakland Raiders' Jimmy Warren as he runs 42-yards for a touchdown after catching a deflected pass during an AFC Divisional NFL football playoff game in Pittsburgh, Dec. 23, 1972. Harris' scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown — forever known as the "Immaculate Reception" — has been voted the greatest play in NFL history. On the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception" — Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 — Pittsburghers recall how it boosted morale during the collapse of the steel industry and has served as a cultural rallying point ever since. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck, File)
At 50, ‘Immaculate Reception’ still lifts a region’s spirits