Tank's Stumper of the Day 12/23/06

[NJTank]

What old 1972 NFL rule should have wiped out the Immaculate Reception?

[Bucks6thMan]

It was illegal for a player to catch a pass after the ball touched a teammate beyond the line of scrimmage.

Although it never was clear whether the ball touched Frenchy or Tatum...

[NJTank]

Correct

Although if the Refs ruled the other way that Fuqua touched it, it would have been hard to argue that too.

[jkrdevil]

I always heard the story John Madden would tell (Although he is very biased) that the refs went down to the Pirates dugout at there Rivers and called the cops to see how many officer they could have available at the game. When heard only six he said then it's six for Pittsburgh.

[NJTank]

Yeah Ive heard that one too If I was to guess I would say it it hit Fuqua

[Bucks6thMan]

I never did understand this rule though. Wouldn't that have also made laterals illegal?

[NJTank]

That's why the rule was done away with in 1974 I believe