The most iconic moments in NFL history

Star players, thrilling action and dramatic storylines have ensured American football is one of the most watched games on the planet. Millions of people around the world tune in to watch the league in the lead up to the Super Bowl which is one of the main global events on the sporting calendar.

For followers who enjoy predicting NFL results, placing wagers adds an extra thrill to the game and boosts interaction with what is going on the field. From tracking odds, to reading expert insight and watching analysis, bettors have a great level of resource to boost their knowledge online and a range of outcomes to bet on.

One of the main reasons for the NFL’s popularity is the great games that have been played down the years. This article will look back on the most iconic moments in the sport’s history.

 

The Immaculate Reception (1972)

This remains one of the most famous pieces of play seen in American football and occurred more than half a century ago as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders faced off in the AFC divisional play-off clash just 48 hours before Christmas Day.

Steelers full-back Franco Harris made a stunning catch from a deflected pass and raced into the end zone to seal a winning touchdown. What made it more memorable is the fact that the ball had bounced off the helmet of Raiders safety Jack Tatum after quarterback Terry Bradshaw had launched a pass for running back John Fuqua.

Harris caught it just before it hit the ground though there has been contention around whether that’s entirely true for years. With speculation surrounding the play for decades, some believe the moment led to the intense rivalry between the Steelers and Raiders.

 

The Catch (1982)

The Catch saw eventual Super Bowl XVI winners San Francisco 49ers clinch a dramatic victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the January NFC Championship clash of 1982.

With just under a minute of the encounter remaining, the 49ers faced 3rd down and had three yards to gain on the opposition’s six-yard line. Quarterback Joe Montana launched an 83-yard ball and wide receiver Dwight Clark climbed high to grab the pass in the back of the end zone to score an iconic touchdown.

 

The Super Bowl III Guarantee (1969)

At times, it is best to remain modest or at least not jinx an upcoming fixture. However, sometimes in sport and the NFL, it is sharing supreme confidence that can give you the edge to claim victory and that was exactly the case for Joe Namath back in 1969.

The New York Jets quarterback guaranteed his team would defeat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III despite being massive underdogs. However, his belief was not misguided as Namath and the team pulled off an incredible 16-7 victory.

It was an impressive performance from the quarterback at Miami’s Orange Bowl as he went 17 for 28 for 206 yards, getting the better of Colts counterpart Johnny Unitas while assisting three Jim Turner field goals and a Matt Snell touchdown.

Namath later insisted the victory “sent a message to all the underdogs out there. If you want something bad enough and you aren’t afraid to lay it on the line, you can do it.”

 

The Deflategate Scandal (2015)

One of the most controversial incidents in the history of NFL, the New England Patriots were accused of deliberately deflating footballs in order to gain an advantage in an AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts.

World-famous quarterback Tom Brady was handed a four-game suspension and the Patriots were fined $1million following a major investigation into the allegations. Two draft selections in 2016 also had to be forfeited. The NFL soon changed their procedures for monitoring football pressure in light of the incident.

Missing the season’s opening games, Brady returned in October 2016 and it proved to be a memorable campaign as the Patriots won Super Bowl LI with their iconic quarterback named Most Valuable Player (MVP) following the game.

 

Music City Miracle (2000)

Tennessee is known as Music City because of its rich and proud musical history and culture. However, at the start of the century, it made headlines for some miracle NFL play which is still talked about 25 years on.

In January 2000, the Tennessee Titans faced the Buffalo Bills at Adelphia Coliseum in the AFC Wild Card Play-off.

With 16 seconds remaining on the clock the Bills took the lead on a field goal but amazingly there was more action to follow.

Kicking off for the return, Frank Wycheck, the Titans tight end, threw a crossfield pass to Kevin Dyson who then ran 75 yards to score a stunning touchdown and steal the victory for the Titans who won out 22-16 to mark the Music City Miracle.

 

The Helmet Catch (2008)

The famous Helmet Catch moment occurred in the final two minutes of Super Bowl XLII in February 2008 and involved an Eli Manning assist.

The New York Giants quarterback evaded three New England Patriot players and managed to release a forward pass. Incredibly, David Tyree’s swift thinking saw him leap in the air and catch the ball by pressing it against his helmet. From here, the Giants scored a touchdown to clinch a surprise 17-14 triumph.

It was a crushing defeat for the Patriots who had been on the cusp of becoming the first NFL team to ever finish a second undefeated and untied since the Miami Dolphins back in 1972.

As teams continue to make moves and appointments in the bid for glory and supremacy, the history of the sport remains a huge inspiration. The catch against the helmet from Manning’s pass has been described as the “greatest play the Super Bowl has ever produced” and it is sure to live long in the memory for everyone present to witness the moment.

 

Wrapping Up

The NFL remains one of the most storied and historic sports in the world, boasting decades of iconic moments and dramatic storylines which have captured the imagination of fans for years and continues to enhance the appeal of the game.

From the Helmet Catch and Immaculate Reception to the Music City Miracle and Super Bowl III Guarantee, these moments of play will forever be talked about and remembered as iconic passages of play which helped shape the continued success of American Football and the NFL.

Fans of the sport can expect more magic to happen in future years based on the incredible stories of the past. The NFL continues to grow in popularity and the sport continues to create amazing stories and major headlines.