So I was minding my own business, selling my book in the exhibit hall at Netroots Nation, when a couple of LARGE guys stopped by the booth, surrounded by several smaller guys. All the exhibitors around me started to swoon, but I had no idea what was going on.
Turns out one of the big guys was named Franco Harris, and he did this in 1972:
It was called "the immaculate reception." Or, as the commentator in the video states, with admirable restraint,"the greatest miracle play in sports history."
Here's a statue in the Pittsburgh airport commemorating Harris's catch:
It's standing right next to a statue of George Washington in an exhibit on "classic battles fought in Pittsburgh." Good to know the Pittsburghers have a sense of proportion. :-)
Franco Harris was there with his son - the other big guy - Franco Dok Harris, who recently announced his candidacy for Mayor of Pittsburgh. I have no idea how progressive Dok is, although this guy will be glad to know that he seems to be a fan of trains, and maybe even Supertrains. Seems like since he and his dad were good enough to visit the Netroots Nation exhibit hall (and buy stuff!), Pittsburgh and other Kossacks should check him out.
Hillary Rettig is author of The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way (Lantern Books, 2006)