Since we all know that the Pittsburgh Steelers have benefitted from some generous end zone officiating in the NFL playoffs (i.e. Kordell Stewart v. the Colts), it’s not surprising that there’s been some controversy surrounding the catch that clinched Super Bowl XLIII last week.
In fact, Santonio Holmes game-winning grab – a.k.a. the Immaculate Reception Redux – is getting the sort of treatment typically reserved for the Zapruder film (or squiggly porn), as dozens of websites across the country have been pouring over the “evidence.â€
One picture in particular – taken by an Arizona photographer – has many questioning the validity of the call, because it appears to show one of Holmes’ toes not on the ground (the NFL rule for a catch is simple, people, both feet have to be inbounds).
But then there are other angles which seem to clearly show Holmes with possession and both tippy toes in.
The NFL has ruled that the catch – which was upheld after video replay – was in fact a catch, and obviously it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference now since the Steelers have already had their parade.
Check out these different angles and tell us what you think … as much as we hate Pittsburgh, we think he’s in.
By Don Johnson February 6, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Who cares if he was in or not? I hate the Steelers, but it was one hell of a catch.
Games rarely come down to ONE play. This whole thing wouldn’t be an issue if Arizona had played defense sometime in the last 5 minutes of the game (or the first 5 minutes of the game).
By Just Checking February 6, 2009 at 12:51 pm
picture #3 tells me catch. Ruling on the field stands. And if someone would’ve made one tackle a foot short of the goal line @ the end of the first half….we go to half at 10-7
By TK February 6, 2009 at 2:31 pm
It’s a catch, the Steelers rock and the Colts suck. And my head still hurts from drinking Iron City Beer all damn day and night on Sunday.
By confused February 6, 2009 at 5:16 pm
honestly, after the refs jobbed my seahawks to hand $hitsburgh the superbowl a few years back, i could not possibly care less about the nfl, which is dead to me. did this happen recently? and all of those pictures make it look like his right toe does not touch the ground, and instead touches his left foot. but of course, the fix was in, and it was ruled a catch. why do sports leagues love pittsburgh (see crosby, sidney and the beloved posterchildren of the nhl, the penguins)? it sucks. and anyone who drinks IC deserves the headache it gives them. that stuff is beyond swill.
By your mom February 9, 2009 at 12:58 pm
confused has the right name…u should also add bitter, and stupid though. if you don’t care about the nfl why are you even commenting. you didn’t even see the game. Iron city beer rocks…pittsburgh rocks, the parade ruled…and anyone not giving props to the steelers can sit on it…period! seahawks blow…its all about sixburgh!!!
By THE REAL DEAL TEAM REDSKINS February 22, 2009 at 3:46 am
look i’ll anyone team the real deal ok but on the real that was not a touchdown ok i play football and there was no way that, that rule / or that call went thur. i belive that someone got paid for makeing the wrong call. and for those who can see that a sham to call you’r self a qeelers ok get real and tell ur team they dont have to cheat to win
By hopebringer7 February 22, 2009 at 5:43 pm
The reason I question this catch is the fact that when both toes are in he’s bringing the ball from the point of the catch into his body and we he appears to regain full control, the right foot is on top of the left one. Doesn’t matter anyway, I’m more upset about how the refs didn’t call a single block in the back on Harrison’s return. Tim Hightower is clearly sent flying from a shot in the back by James Farrior.
By The gratest February 22, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Yea ok someone got paid to make wrong call. tell me how u can plan for the game to come down to last catch and everything went the wat it did. and the pics above show different times of the cathc when he first caught the ball both feet were down and then as he fell forward is when the other touched he foot so he had possesion and both feet were down untill the start snapping pics of his feet as he fell so dont hate we have 6 no one else does !!!
By Steelers Glory May 8, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Ha, ha! all you loser Steeler haters need to get a life and get over it already. Steelers Rule – Get used to it.