Here’s how Franco Harris’ ‘Immaculate Reception’ got its name

Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris — who was the recipient of the miraculous play — has passed away at the age of 72, just two days before the 50th anniversary of the catch and three days before the organization plans to retire Harris’ No. 32. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at halftime of Pittsburgh’s Week 16 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

According to a 2021 article from Joe Smeltzer of history.com, Ord was one of the 50,350 in attendance at Three Rivers Stadium for the Steelers’ first-round playoff victory against the Oakland Raiders on December 23, 1972. After Raiders Hall of Fame quarterback Ken Stabler ran in a 30-yard touchdown to tie the game 6-6 late in the fourth quarter and Hall of Fame signal-caller George Blanda — who took on kicking duties as well — booted through the extra point, Oakland held a 7-6 edge.

During the ensuing possession on fourth-and-10 from their own 40-yard line with 22 seconds left and no timeouts, Harris — then a rookie — stepped up with the game-winning controversial play. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw hauled the ball downfield, where two players collided and ricocheted the ball into Harris’ hands, waiting just inches above the turf, and sent him off for the 60-yard touchdown reception.

To celebrate the win, Ord and his girlfriend went to a bar.

“Growing up Catholic, I remember the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and I thought, ‘Damn.’ So, I climbed up on the table, and like you do in an old fire hall wedding, you know you have a spoon, and I banged on the glass,” Ord said in an NFL Films documentary. “I would like to, from his day on… refer to this day as the feast of the Immaculate Reception. And the place went bonkers.”

According to Smeltzer’s article, Steelers radio broadcaster and Pittsburgh TV sportscaster Myron Cope received a call in the newsroom, suggesting the nickname. Cope said it on air “and it stuck.”