The Immaculate Reception is, without a doubt, the most famous play in NFL history. With the 40th anniversary of the iconic play approaching on Sunday, I thought it would be appropriate to tell the story of the play through the eyes of someone who witnessed it first-hand.
My grandfather, Joseph Kilkeary has been a Steelers season ticket holder since the 1960’s, and was at Three Rivers Stadium that day with my late grandmother. I interviewed him to get his side of the story of what happened that afternoon. These are the series of events from his perspective:
“Well the first thing I remember the week leading up to the game was that it was cold. And it was really cold the day of the game. There was a lot of excitement leading up to the game. The city was up, and it hadn’t been for 40 years when it came to the Steelers. They had only played in one playoff game up until that, in 1947 against the Eagles, and they lost. So there was a lot of excitement around the city leading up to the game.
As far as the Steelers’ chances, I thought they were the underdogs going in. They had a heck of a season, but they were an up-and-coming team, while the Raiders had been contenders for a long time. They had a lot of veterans and the Steelers were a fairly young team. I thought the Steelers had a good team, but I would say the Raiders were the favorite.
The morning of the game was just like any other. We had left straight from home and parked down by where the Science Center is now (the Carnegie Science Center right next to Heinz Field). If I remember correctly, it was the first game Lois (wife) had ever been. She never went to games. I don’t know why she chose to go to this game. Usually Debbie (daughter) went to the games with me. We parked the car and walked into the old Gate A at Three Rivers. We sat in section 525, row A, seats 5 and 6.
As far as the actual game, it was an exciting one but it was low scoring. It was a good game, but it wasn’t one of those games where you’re on the edge of seat all afternoon. The Steelers were up 6-0 until about a minute left in the game, and then the Raiders took the lead when Ken Stabler scrambled for a touchdown. After that it was like the air was taken out of the stadium. Pretty much everyone thought the game was over.
I thought it was over. I remember thinking ‘This is a shame’ and that was it. When it was fourth down we were getting ready to leave. And then it was bedlam.
When Franco caught the ball, nobody knew what happened. It all happened so fast, almost no one knew what was going on until he was in the end zone. Our seats were actually in that end zone. All I remember is seeing Franco running down the sidelines with a defensive back chasing him and then seeing him get into the end zone. After that, it was pandemonium. People were running and jumping around. There were fans on the field; pretty much every player was down in that end zone congratulating Franco. It was a great scene.
Leaving Three Rivers that day was out of sight. It was very festive. Everybody thought we were going to the Super Bowl. It was a great day, but the fans never got out of hand. They were under control the whole time. It was great, but it was a total fluke play. I mean, how many times can you do that? What the hell was he (Franco Harris) even doing there to begin with? It was something you just never expect.
Everybody knew it was something that was going to be talked about for a long time. That’s why they called it immaculate. John Madden still talks about to this day. He’s still mad about it. The officials didn’t know if they would make it out of Pittsburgh alive if they didn’t call it a touchdown. Everything about it made you realize that this was something that would be talked about for a long time.”
