The Pittsburgh Steelers organization is giving fans a fun, unique, way to re-live the franchise-defining day of December 23, 1972. The day is a bittersweet celebration of the 50th anniversary of the unthinkable play following the death of the player who made it all possible, Franco Harris on December 21, 2022.
While Twitter was not even a thought in someone's mind yet 50 years ago, the team used the social media platform to give Steeler Nation a walkthrough of gameday from all those years ago. The team gave full updates throughout the day in "real-time," as things happened during that divisional playoff win that still haunts the then-Oakland Raiders franchise, even if they've moved to Las Vegas and launched Pittsburgh to contender status for the next decade.
Franco Harris rumbled his way to the game-winning score after scooping up the loose ball off a deflection. Photo credit: Steelers.com
Steelers' Immaculate Reception Timeline
In 60 minutes, we go back 50 years.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Live coverage presented by @MillerLite. #Immaculate50 pic.twitter.com/GKkNgKOKTW
IT’S GAMEDAY!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
For $1, this game program is yours.
For those of you who aren’t going to the game, this is the beginning of what you’re missing. pic.twitter.com/zOZF9hHRm3
Game time pic.twitter.com/jjcb1APP7e
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
HERE. WE. GO. pic.twitter.com/urjBW11AMg
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Today’s attendance is 50,327. There’s probably a good number of people who will say they were here but weren’t. Ask for proof.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
ANDY’S RUSSELLING THINGS UP!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
He picks off Lamonica’s pass and we take over at our own 36. pic.twitter.com/fdhD7XH3tL
No score at the end of one. pic.twitter.com/6bGdkoRzth
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Grabbed by Glen!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Edwards recovers an Oakland fumble and we take over at our 49.
Franco rips off a 14-yard run, his longest of the game to this point.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Franco's Italian Army loves it! pic.twitter.com/VxH8b1ml1r
Half pic.twitter.com/P7m52FkFw5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
The third quarter is starting.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
RG with the FG!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
We’re on the board! Gerela’s 18-yard field goal is good!
PIT 3 | OAK 0 pic.twitter.com/5HzNxIKW27
SACKED!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
That’s right, it’s Dwight White! pic.twitter.com/p1n3vFKD1k
Let’s finish this one out. pic.twitter.com/RMkOJzRnvY
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Happy 24th birthday, Jack!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Lamonica delivers a birthday gift to the birthday boy!
We take over at our own 38. pic.twitter.com/X5jqBFDwzn
That’s right, it’s Dwight White AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/2EVLU1Mbuq
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
OUR BALL!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Mike Wagner picks it up with 6:05 left in the game! pic.twitter.com/f3jtnebGWw
Gerela is good from 29!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
PIT 6 | OAK 0, 3:42 left in the game pic.twitter.com/gvVfNcmrK7
Bummer…Stabler caps an 80-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown run for the Raiders...
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
OAK 7 | PIT 6, 1:13 left in the game
Here we go. We start from our own 20 with 1:13 left in the game.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Here we go. We start from our own 20 with 1:13 left in the game.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
1st & 10 at our 20: Bradshaw throws to Harris for 9 yards
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
1st & 10 at our 40: Bradshaw’s pass to McMakin is broken up by Tatum
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
2nd & 10 at our 40: Bradshaw’s pass to Shanklin is incomplete
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
3rd & 10 at our 40: Bradshaw’s pass to McMakin is broken up by Tatum again. Tatum doing a good job on this drive breaking up passes.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
4th & 10 at our 40: Hang on to your hats. Here come the Steelers out of the huddle.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
IMMACULATE!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/vkrANsK6F2
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
A celebration has erupted on the field, but fans - please clear the playing field so Roy Gerela can kick the extra point.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
The officials have spent some time reviewing the touchdown…
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Let’s take another few looks. pic.twitter.com/k8VdIGCgow
CONFIRMED. TOUCHDOWN.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
The extra point is goooooooooood!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
WE’RE UP 13 TO 7 WITH FIVE SECONDS LEFT!
DEFENSE!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
DEFENSE!
DEFENSE! pic.twitter.com/gAx9VPXDOM
INCOMPLETE! THE GAME IS OVER! pic.twitter.com/uRKh8u6UaW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
AN IMMACULATE FINISH! STEELERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/CQV0pRLMQq
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Good vibrations! pic.twitter.com/K6Tfw0UgG3
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
A job well done! pic.twitter.com/UfVeh0YnOD
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
My man, my man! pic.twitter.com/C94jWNGrun
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Immaculate vibes. pic.twitter.com/3NFzQnPi4C
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Coach Noll on our first playoff win: pic.twitter.com/aztkUXkvcE
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Franco Harris on catching the deflected pass that led to the game-winning touchdown: pic.twitter.com/rQpZUkNRYN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
An early look at tomorrow's front page pic.twitter.com/ukGRDaEp30
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 23, 2022
Steelers Franco Harris ran the ball 60 yards to secure the first playoff win in team history. Photo credit: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
So, Steeler Nation, were you following along? Were you seeing these moments for the first time or was this a chance to re-live some of the memories? Let us know how you felt about this unique way the team found to honor this part of its history either in the comment section below or on social media.
#SteelerNation
