Top 10 Plays That Reshaped Football HistoryTop 10 Plays That Reshaped Football History 1. The Immaculate Reception (1972): Franco Harris’s miraculous catch-and-run for a touchdown in the waning seconds against the Raiders sent the Steelers to the AFC Championship Game, igniting one of the most storied dynasties in NFL history. 2. The Hail Mary Pass (1975): The Minnesota Vikings completed a desperation 64-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton to Stefon Diggs as time expired to shock the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. This iconic play popularized the term “Hail Mary” for last-second, desperation passes. 3. The Helmet Catch (2008): David Tyree’s incredible helmet reception, with his body pinned against the defender, helped the New York Giants upset the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. 4. The Interception (1981): The “Catch II” by Dwight Clark of the San Francisco 49ers gave them a dramatic win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game and marked the beginning of the 49ers’ dominance in the 1980s. 5. The Flea Flicker (1988): The Denver Broncos’ surprise play, where John Elway handed off to Steve Sewell who then lateraled back to Elway for a touchdown strike, fooled the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Championship Game. 6. The Music City Miracle (1999): A controversial lateral play that led to a Tennessee Titans win over the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. Kevin Dyson’s long touchdown run ended on a pass from lateral to lateral to lateral. 7. The Three and Out (2001): The Baltimore Ravens’ defense stopped the New York Giants on three plays in the final minute of Super Bowl XXXV, securing their first NFL championship. 8. The Butt Fumble (2012): New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez’s infamous fumble, where he fell on his own backside while attempting a handoff, became a symbol of dysfunction for the Jets and a constant source of ridicule. 9. The Strip-Six (2015): Malcolm Butler’s stunning interception and return for a touchdown in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX denied the Seattle Seahawks a potential game-winning score, giving the New England Patriots an improbable victory. 10. The Minneapolis Miracle (2018): The Minnesota Vikings completed a 61-yard pass from Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs as time expired to beat the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. This spectacular play reinvigorated the Vikings’ franchise and marked another iconic moment for Diggs in NFL history.
