At the NFL’s annual honors on the eve of Super Bowl 54, it was revealed that the Immaculate Reception was named the NFL’s greatest individual moment in the league’s first 100 years of existence. That play, which saw the Steelers convert a tipped pass into a touchdown in the final minute while trailing 7-6 to the Oakland Raiders in the 1972 AFC Divisional Round for a game-winning score, ultimately led to the Steelers hosting the Dolphins the following week in the AFC Championship Game.
But that wouldn’t be the only appearance the Dolphins would make among the finalists, because the Dolphins’ 1972 perfect season was among the final four as well.
The final order of the top moments in NFL history?
The Immaculate Reception took home the best moment, followed by the following moments of brilliance:
- David Tyree’s helmet catch in the Super Bowl — a play that ultimately helped the Giants to a 17-14 win over the 18-0 Patriots to preserve the Dolphins’ legacy as the only undefeated Super Bowl champions in NFL history
- “The Catch” by San Francisco’s Dwight Clark — which sealed a 28-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship Game
- The Dolphins’ Perfect Season — the only time in league history a Super Bowl winner finished the year with an unblemished record.
A first place finish would have been nice, but the recognition of the Dolphins’ accomplishments after nearly 50 years is still a nice reminder of where this team has come from and what they’re striving to return to. The list of each of the 32 team’s greatest individual moments is available here.
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