Fred Swearingen
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Fred Swearingen (September 25, 1921 - December 16, 2016) was a former official in the
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(NFL), serving as both a referee and back judge from 1960 through 1980. He wore uniform number 21 for the majority of his career. He worked
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as a back judge, where he called a controversial pass interference against the
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' Benny Barnes. Swearingen owned and operated Swearingen's Sporting Goods in
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, United States. On December 23, 1972, Swearingen was the referee for an AFC Divisional Playoff game between the
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and the
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at
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. The game is famous for a play known as the
Immaculate Reception The Immaculate Reception is one of the most famous plays in the history of American football. It was a touchdown which occurred in the AFC divisional playoff game of the National Football League (NFL), between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oa ...
. With 22 seconds remaining and Oakland leading 7–6, Pittsburgh was on its own 40-yard line on 4th and 10.
Terry Bradshaw Terry Paxton Bradshaw (born September 2, 1948) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since 1994, he has been a television sports an ...
threw to John "Frenchy" Fuqua, but safety
Jack Tatum John David Tatum (November 18, 1948 – July 27, 2010) was an American professional American football, football Safety (gridiron football position), safety who played 10 seasons from 1971 through 1980 with the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Oi ...
collided with Fuqua sending the ball wobbling backward. Rookie running back
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then scooped up the ball, running untouched into the end zone. Under the rules at that time, there could not be a legal catch if the ball touched two offensive players, without also touching a defensive player. If the ball either bounced off both Tatum and Fuqua (in any order — or, contacted them simultaneously), or hit only Tatum, the catch would be legal. Swearingen consulted with umpire
Pat Harder Marlin Martin "Pat" Harder (May 6, 1922 – September 6, 1992) was an American professional football player and official in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a fullback and kicker. Harder played college football for the Wiscons ...
and field judge Adrian Burk, who each reported he had seen the ball hit both Tatum and Fuqua, and then went to a sideline phone to consult with NFL supervisor of officials Art McNally, who was in the press box. Swearingen emerged and made his ruling that the play was a touchdown. The Steelers went on to win 13–7. Swearingin died on December 16th, 2016 aged 95 years.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swearingen, Fred 1921 births 2016 deaths NFL officials Ohio University alumni