Raiders quarterback Derek Carr went there.
A self-admitted life-long Raiders fan, Carr was being asked a question about the Steelers/Raiders rivalry and upcoming game on Sunday, when the reporting mentioned the Immaculate Reception.
“Yeah, that ball touched the ground,” said Carr referencing when running back Franco Harris snatched the ball out of the air at the very last possible second and ran it in to give the Steelers the victory over the Raiders.
That game was an AFC Divisional game in 1972 and is considered by many the play that launched the dynasty that the Steelers would become.
Carr would go on to say, “You got to respect them, obviously,” but then doubled down, “like I said that ball touched the ground.”
Defensive captain Cam Heyward doesn’t have time for that.
“Everybody likes to talk like Franco didn’t’ catch the ball, so let’s just be honest, Raiders/Steelers is always full of shenanigans.”
While Steelers/Raiders isn’t on the level of a Ravens or Browns rivalry, there is always something a little extra going on when the play each other.
Heyward also said he saw something that claimed there was going to be black and silver all over Heinz Field on Sunday.
“That’s not going to happen here like you know this isn’t the Chargers where everybody goes and has a home game . . . when you come here its black and gold all day, so I’m excited to see it, it’s been awhile.”