Immaculate Reception

The actual ball ended up in the hands of fan Jim Baker, who attended the game with his young nephew, Bobby. Baker managed to scoop up the ball during the ensuing melee after the extra point kick, grabbed his nephew, and ran off the field. He had offered to give the ball back to the Steelers in return for lifetime [[season ticket]]s but was rebuffed. Until 2023, he declined every offer to sell it, including the highest offer of $150,000 from heavy equipment provider Ray Anthony International, instead keeping it in a guarded bank vault in [[West Mifflin, Pennsylvania]] and occasionally bringing it out for public appearances involving the Steelers, including one with Franco Harris in 1997 to commemorate the play's 25th anniversary.{{cite news | url=http://grantland.com/features/the-immaculate-reception-franco-harris-pittsburgh-steelers-owners-ball-play/ | title=How one man nabbed the most coveted piece of NFL memorabilia from the clutches of history | first=Kim | last=Gamble | publisher=Grantland | date=December 12, 2012}}{{cite news | url=https://triblive.com/aande/moreaande/10296559-74/barrows-says-baker | title='Sports Detectives' investigates Immaculate Reception ball | first=Bob | last=Karlovits | publisher=Trib Total Media | date=April 30, 2016}} However, in 2023, Baker sold the ball to Maggie Hardy for an undisclosed amount. Plans call for the ball to be kept at [[Nemacolin Woodlands Resort]].{{cite news | url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/how-maggie-hardy-caught-immaculate-reception-ball-for-dad/ | title=How Maggie Hardy caught Immaculate Reception ball for Dad | first=Paul | last=Guggenheimer | publisher=Trib Live | date=January 21, 2023}}

The actual ball ended up in the hands of fan Jim Baker, who attended the game with his young nephew, Bobby. Baker managed to scoop up the ball during the ensuing melee after the extra point kick, grabbed his nephew, and ran off the field. He had offered to give the ball back to the Steelers in return for lifetime [[season ticket]]s but was rebuffed. Until 2023, he declined every offer to sell it, including the highest offer of $150,000 from heavy equipment provider Ray Anthony International, instead keeping it in a guarded bank vault in [[West Mifflin, Pennsylvania]] and occasionally bringing it out for public appearances involving the Steelers, including one with Franco Harris in 1997 to commemorate the play's 25th anniversary.{{cite news | url=http://grantland.com/features/the-immaculate-reception-franco-harris-pittsburgh-steelers-owners-ball-play/ | title=How one man nabbed the most coveted piece of NFL memorabilia from the clutches of history | first=Kim | last=Gamble | publisher=Grantland | date=December 12, 2012}}{{cite news | url=https://triblive.com/aande/moreaande/10296559-74/barrows-says-baker | title='Sports Detectives' investigates Immaculate Reception ball | first=Bob | last=Karlovits | publisher=Trib Total Media | date=April 30, 2016}} However, in 2023, Baker sold the ball to Maggie Hardy for an undisclosed amount. Plans call for the ball to be kept at [[Nemacolin Woodlands Resort]].{{cite news | url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/how-maggie-hardy-caught-immaculate-reception-ball-for-dad/ | title=How Maggie Hardy caught Immaculate Reception ball for Dad | first=Paul | last=Guggenheimer | publisher=Trib Live | date=January 21, 2023}}

In 2026 a swab of bacteria was utilized in brewing a beer specifically for an NFL Draft celebration event at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.

In 2026 a swab of bacteria taken from the ball was utilized in brewing a beer specifically for a NFL Draft celebration event at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.

https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/a-sip-of-history-new-beer-made-with-immaculate-reception-football/

https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/a-sip-of-history-new-beer-made-with-immaculate-reception-football/