“Truth is stranger than fiction.” Sometimes the factual histories of people, companies, and countries are so storied that they seem unbelievable. It seems that the world’s best authors and screenwriters would have been unable to write more fantastic and intriguing narratives, if they had tried. For instance, here are some fascinating histories about the birth of some famous products:
Frisbee: The tins for the Frisbie Baking Company’s pies, evolved into the Frisbee. Local England college students would toss around the empty tins.
Goodyear: While in jail due to debt, Charles Goodyear conducted his first experiments with rubber and the new valve he had invented.
Velcro: In 1948, George de Mestral was returning home from a walk, when he noticed some cocklebur weeds stuck to his jacket. The hooks on the cocklebur inspired Mestral’s invention of a new type of fastener: velcro.
Likewise, several extraordinary moments have occurred in the world of sports. In 1954, during the 1954 World Series, Willie Mays made what was later known as “The Catch.” It thrilled fans sporting sports logo merchandise. While running towards the “home-run wall,” Mays made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch. In 1962, there was Wilt Chamberlain, who set an NBA scoring record for a single game, by racking up 100 points. In 1980, there was the U.S. hockey team, which defeated the mighty Soviets 4-3 in the medal round of the Winter Olympics.
The NFL also has its share of memorable plays. Here are some of the most outstanding ones in NFL playoff history:
1. The “Immaculate Reception”: 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff
This catch was made in a playoff matchup between the Pittsburg Steelers and the visiting Oakland Raiders. According to NFL films, the play was both the greatest and most controversial one in NFL history.
The Steelers were losing the game 7-6, and with 22 seconds remaining in the game, were in a fourth-and-10 situation at their own 40-yard-line. Chuck Noll, head coach of the Steelers, had called a pass play intended for Barry Pearson, a Steelers Wide Receiver.
However, two Raiders rushed Steelers’ Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, requiring Bradshaw to make an adjustment. Bradshaw tossed the pigskin to John “Frenchy” Fuqua. However, Fuqua crashed into Jack Tatum, the Raiders’ Safety, as the ball reached him. This play thrilled NFL fans sporting nfl logo merchandise. The hit caused the ball to fly backwards and end-over-end. Franco Harris, a Steelers’ Running Back, caught the ball in mid-air, and then ran the ball into the endzone.
FINAL SCORE: STEELERS 13, RAIDERS 7
2. The “Hail Mary”: 1975 NFC Divisional Playoffs
In the world of football, The “Hail Mary” has become the moniker for a type of desperation forward pass, with a minimal chance of being completed. Typically, the pass is made towards the end of the game, maximizing the pass’s stakes. However, we can trace the origin of the play’s name, to a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings.
Down 14-10 with just under 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Cowboys started a potential game-winning drive at their own 15-yardline. One of the key plays of the drive was a completion from the Cowboys’ QB Roger Staubach, to Wide Receiver Drew Pearson. However, the first “Hail Mary” pass was a 50-yard completion from Staubach to Pearson. In an interview after the game, Staubach referred to the pass as a “Hail Mary.” Since then, the pass has thrilled NFL fans, such as those sporting new york jets merchandise.
FINAL SCORE: COWBOYS 17, VIKINGS 14
3. “The Catch”: 1982 NFC Championship
This game included two powerhouse teams: the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were losing 27-21. With roughly a minute left in the game, Quarterback Joe Montana had marched his team down the field, to the Cowboys’ 6-yard line. On third town, the 49ers needed 3 yard to earn a first down.
The 49ers called a pass play intended for Freddie Solomon, a Wide Receiver. However, two things went wrong. The Cowboys covered Solomon like a blanket. Furthermore, two of the Cowboys’ defensive ends, Ed “Two Tall” Jones and Larry Bethea caused a retreating Montana to backpedal towards the sideline. Montana pump-faked the pass, causing Jones to jump early. The QB then tossed the ball to Dwight Clark, who made a leaping catch in the end zone.
FINAL SCORE: 49ERS 28, COWBOYS 27
4. “The Drive”: 1987 AFC Championship
This term refers to one of the Denver Broncos’ offensive series versus the Cleveland Browns. With about 5.5 minutes left in the game, the Broncos offense took over at their 2-yard-line. Down 20-13, they needed a TD to tie the game. What happened next thrilled NFL fans, including those owning new york jets car accessories.
“The Drive” was as balanced as it was consistent. Elway connected on 6 of 9 pass attempts, gaining a total of 78 yards. Meanwhile, the Broncos ran for 28 yards on five plays, with Elway rushing for 20 yards himself (on two carries). The only loss of yardage was the Browns’ 8-yard sack of Elway. Nevertheless, on a third-and-one from the Browns’ 5-yardline, Elway tossed the ball to Mark Jackson, for a 5-yard TD pass. The Broncos eventually won the game in overtime.
FINAL SCORE: BRONCOS 23, BROWNS 20
5. (Unnamed catch): Super Bowl XLII (2008)
The magnificent 33-yard toss from Giants’ QB Eli Manning to David Tyree was the key in the Giants’ final drive of the game. Twisting and bobbing, Manning somehow escaped from the Patriots’ rush, then launched the ball to Tyree (he had already scored a TD). Tyree leaped and used a single hand to secure the ball against his helmet.
What made Tyree’s catch significantly important was when the Giants capped off the drive with a game-winning TD pass. With just 35 seconds left, Plaxico Burress hauled in a 13-yard toss from Manning.
FINAL SCORE: GIANTS 17, PATRIOTS 14
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