Here's how Steelers icon Franco Harris' 'Immaculate Reception' got its name

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris -- who scored the touchdown on the greatest play in NFL history -- has died at the age of 72, two days before the 50th anniversary of his "Immaculate Reception" and three days before the team was to retire his No. 32.

A diehard Steelers fan named Michael Ord coined the "Immaculate Reception," one of the most recognized names in sports history, nearly 50 years ago.

Per history.com. Ord was one of the 50,350 in attendance at Three Rivers Stadium for the Steelers' first-round playoff victory against the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 23, 1972. 

Late in the fourth quarter, Raiders Hall of Fame quarterback Kenny "The Snake" Stabler tied the score on 30-yard touchdown run. Hall of Fame QB George Blanda -- who kicked for Oakland  -- booted the extra point for a 7-6 edge.

On fourth-and-10 from their own 40-yard line with 22 seconds left and no timeouts, the Steelers made history.

Under a fierce pass rush, Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw tossed the ball downfield to running back Frenchy Fuqua, who was leveled on the play by safety Jack Tatum. The ball richocheted to Harris, then a rookie, who caught the ball inches off the turf and raced down the sideline for the winning TD.

To celebrate the win, Ord and his girlfriend went to a Pittsburgh-area bar.

"Growing up Catholic, I remember the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and I thought, 'Damn.' So, I climbed up on the table, and like you do in an old fire hall wedding, you know you have a spoon, and I banged on the glass," Ord said in an NFL Films documentary. "I would like to, from his day on... refer to this day as the feast of the Immaculate Reception. And the place went bonkers."