TABLE OF CONTENTS The Immaculate Reception 9 Steel City Struggles 17 The Pittsburgh Gold Rush 24 Closing the Steel Curtain 37 Consistently a Contender 43 GRIDIRON GREATS Overcoming His Limitations 11 A Rocky Road to Success 14 Terrible Towels 19 Good Hair Days 26 One of a Kind 32 All in the Family 41 Team Stats 47 Websites 47 Index 48
STEELERS PITTSBURGH John Fuqua THE IMMACULATE RECEPTION What is probably the most famous play in the history of the National Football League NFL came on December 23 1972 It was during a playoff game The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Oakland Raiders Just 22 seconds remained The Steelers trailed 7 6 They faced a fourth down on their own 40-yard line Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw was desperate for a big play He heaved a long pass toward running back John Frenchy Fuqua Just as the ball reached Fuqua Raiders safety Jack Tatum went up for it The two players collided The impact knocked the ball backward Steelers running back Franco Harris grabbed the ball It was just above his ankles He raced
