From the achives of almosts.....

Hello sports fans let me paint a picture for you if I may. It was January 6, 1980 and the Oilers (yes our home team once upon a time...) were once again finding themselves "knocking on that door" in an AFC Championship game vs the much hated Pittsburgh Steelers - hated not because they were even close to a team over rated, over paid, or containing within their ranks, players from a police lineup and prison roster as with that team up north of us - but because they were...well damn good and in this era of Houston sports, forever stood in the way of that defining game, that moment of glory, that championship that seem to always be dashed by a single play and as in this case, a bad call. Yes friends it was a stage that was set for all to see and after the previous AFC championship where we were soundly beaten by this very same team 34-5, it had a totally different feel about it. This Houston team seemed poised for upset, this team seemed ready to dawn the uniforms of a truely inspiring cinderella team that would dash the talk and quiet the naysayers and finally get through that door to the big show.

The game was close and the oilers trailed 17-10 in the third quarter. the drive was on and at the helm under center was our beloved but sometimes very brittle QB Dan Pastorini. Pastorini takes the snap and fades back and with the 'Steel Curtain' coming on strong, He lofts the ball toward the back of the endzone into the waiting hands of one Mike Renfro, just out of the reach of the defender. Ball caught, TOUCHDOWN! The Oilers have tied the game and with momentum had the upper hand. The Steelers fans were in shock and disbelief. Celebrations in the endzone insued and in my living room as I spilled my ice tea while jumping up in the air, pumping my fists in a rush of pride and ecstasy!

But wait.....hold on......why was that referee waving his arms and looking like a traffic cop and why haven't they posted the score up on the board? Something was wrong and after a short pinstripe convention in the endzone, we all were directed to the the head linesman who proceeded to enlighten us all of the decision to call one of the greatest catches in Houston sports history incomplete saying that both feet were not in! No catch! No Touchdown! UGH!!! Watch the replay you idot, throw the red flag coach! It was a catch damn it! But alas this was 1980, there were no red flags, there was no instant replay challenges, but....there was instant replay and so the footage of the greatest catch that never happened played over and over again. No commercial break on this one folks, Less feeling, taste great arguments would have to wait. Slow motion after slow motion of first the ball being drawn into Renfro's hands, then down to the left foot firmly planted inside the endzone line and then with great control and mastery, the right toe touches inbounds and is dragged through the endline. Backwards and forwards they ran the tape. from the right angle, from the left angle. Slow motion after painful slow motion it ran as the hearts of Houston fans sunk down more and more for we knew the meaning of this all too well. This was the play that counted and there would only be one play....one chance and it was gone.

Renfro had made the catch and with unbelievable poise and control managed to keep both feet in bounds as the replays clearly showed but a bad call would not be reversed and it was ruled an incomplete pass. The Oilers would settle for a field goal and with a shift in momentum would go on to lose 27-13. I quietly and somberly cleaned up my spilled tea, turned off the television, and muttered out loud to no one in particlualr....Damn it! Both feet were in!!!!