Best Catch of All-Time

Draft Dodger · 12-27-2003, 08:13 PM

caught the last 5 minutes of the Seahawks/49ers game tonight...

...and got to see one of the best catches I think I've ever seen. That Brandon Lloyd sideline catch was simply astonishing, in a year that's featured some simply marvelous catches already (thinking of the Marvin Harrison catch a couple weeks ago, and a Chris Chambers endzone catch earlier in the season).

it got me thinking about one of my favorite "catches" of all time, which actually wasn't a catch at all. and I'm wondering if my memory really as good as I think it was.

I'm thinking of 00 Ken Burrough's catch in the back of the end zone in the 1979 AFC Championship game against the Steelers. The Steelers won 27-13, but my memory is that this play would have either tied the game, or made it much closer. I recall Burrough bobbled it, but then got possesion, got one foot clearly in bounds, and then barely dragged the other foot in. Replay seemed to show that it was a catch, but, after a long discussion, the refs decided he was out.

Now, MY memory is that call is what lost the game (and a trip to the Super Bowl), but I'm wondering if A) the catch wasn't as amazing as I think it was and B) the Oilers would have lost anyways.

Anyone remember better than I the circumstances around that catch? Also, curious as to other peoples favorite catches...

Dutch · 12-27-2003, 08:16 PM

Most bizarre and incredible was that catch on MNF by Antonio Freeman a few years ago againsts the Vikings.

I remember a guy on the Philadelphia Eagles in the 80's that was the master of the one handed catch, but damn, I forget his name....and he was awesome.

Easy Mac · 12-27-2003, 08:18 PM

Joe Jurevicius MNF catch earlier this year, the one where he tipped it to himself in the end zone over another player, then dove around him to make the catch... and you can throw in his other TD catch that game as well.

Also the Mike Williams one-hander.

ISiddiqui · 12-27-2003, 08:27 PM

Yep, that Lloyd catch was utterly UNBELIEVABLE! I don't think I've seen a better catch. He had to turn back to the outside, get his hand on the ball, and then control it with his one hand, cradle with the other, and get both feet inbounds.

Jaw dropping.

TroyF · 12-27-2003, 09:16 PM

Harold Charmichael and Mike Quick used to make some great grabs for the Eagles.

The Joe J. catch was amazing. Hard to top the Freeman catch (though that was as much luck as anything else)

Having said all of that, the Lloyd catch may be the best I've ever seen. It had it all, ball being thrown away from him, one handed grab, foot drag. Add in the game situation this occured in and you have something truly incredible.

MrBug708 · 12-27-2003, 09:17 PM

Mike Williams in the OSU game. One handed catched in the endzone

Easy Mac · 12-27-2003, 09:25 PM

Forgot one:

The Terrell Owens catch against Green Bay in the '98 playoffs. It wasn't the greatest catch I've ever seen, but given the circumstances it was one of the best. The first 49ers win against GB in the playoffs in years. The game winning TD. He went over the middle and got drilled... One of the best pressure catches I've ever seen.

WussGawd · 12-27-2003, 10:00 PM

Todd Heap, ASU, vs. Cal a few years back. He was a true freshman playing for a not very good ASU team. He was upended in the back of the end zone, falling backward as the pass came in, caught it one handed...was the lead highlight on SportsCenter all night that game. Knew he was going to turn into a good pro tight end from that point forward.

digamma · 12-27-2003, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBug708
Mike Williams in the OSU game. One handed catched in the endzone

Best one I've ever seen.

sundeviljjoiii · 12-27-2003, 10:23 PM

It was Mike Renfro and if they would have allowed it the score would have been tied.

SteelerFan448 · 12-27-2003, 10:57 PM

Too hard to just pick one. Guys in the NFL like Harrison and Moss make outstanding catches. Ward and Owens make some great ones. Swann years ago, the Immaculate reception. Then in college now, Fitzgerald and Williams have made some really nice ones this year.

ISiddiqui · 12-27-2003, 10:59 PM

Don't forget Lloyd's today

.

EagleFan · 12-27-2003, 11:28 PM

Yeah, but the play following that catch today was actually the best play of the game...

mckerney · 12-27-2003, 11:33 PM

A catch I saw Reggie Wayne make in Miami where he was in the back of the endzone, the pass was low and he reached as he was falling and just got his hand under the ball for a TD.

cthomer5000 · 12-28-2003, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Easy Mac
Forgot one:

The Terrell Owens catch against Green Bay in the '98 playoffs. It wasn't the greatest catch I've ever seen, but given the circumstances it was one of the best. The first 49ers win against GB in the playoffs in years. The game winning TD. He went over the middle and got drilled... One of the best pressure catches I've ever seen.

He was absolutely drilled when making that catch as well. It was definitely one of the best I've seen.

Dutch · 12-28-2003, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TroyF
Harold Charmichael and Mike Quick used to make some great grabs for the Eagles.

The Joe J. catch was amazing. Hard to top the Freeman catch (though that was as much luck as anything else)

Having said all of that, the Lloyd catch may be the best I've ever seen. It had it all, ball being thrown away from him, one handed grab, foot drag. Add in the game situation this occured in and you have something truly incredible.

Ahhh, Mike Quick, that was the guy! Thanks! And Harold was good too, but he was a little before my time, I saw a lot of Mike Quick on TV. Harold, just a little at the end.

tucker342 · 12-28-2003, 12:11 AM

The catch a couple of weeks ago in USC's final game, at the end of the first half. The USC player made a diving one handed catch, it was incredible.

TroyF · 12-28-2003, 01:52 AM

That one handed diving catch by Harrison last week was a beauty as well. I remember a Bear a few years ago catching the back of the ball and tippy tapping in the end zone. . . can't remember the play, but it was awesome.

Vince · 12-28-2003, 02:14 AM

Dude, how about The Catch? Now I'm going to have to fire up SportsCenter to see this catch...damn not being able to watch the 49er game today!!!

miami_fan · 12-28-2003, 04:49 AM

How about the catch by Charles Rogers against Nortre Dame last year?

Solecismic · 12-28-2003, 07:13 AM

The Charles Woodson interception against Michigan State probably won him the Heisman. A leaping one-handed grab somehow managing to stay inbounds.

Draft Dodger · 12-28-2003, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sundeviljjoiii
It was Mike Renfro and if they would have allowed it the score would have been tied.

ah, see. I knew I had part of it wrong. It wasn't even freaking Ken Burrough.

I had forgotten Joe J's catch earlier this year. that was pretty incredible.

Vikings13 · 12-28-2003, 11:14 AM

Anything Cris Carter ever caught on a sideline was a great catch. That man made a living getting his toes inbounds...

Front Office Midget · 12-28-2003, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Easy Mac
Forgot one:

The Terrell Owens catch against Green Bay in the '98 playoffs. It wasn't the greatest catch I've ever seen, but given the circumstances it was one of the best. The first 49ers win against GB in the playoffs in years. The game winning TD. He went over the middle and got drilled... One of the best pressure catches I've ever seen.

Too bad it should have been Packers ball, game over 2 plays over when Jerry Rice fumbled and the Packers recovered. But this was before Instant Replay and the 49ers kept the ball, leading to Owens catch.

hukarez · 12-28-2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dutch
Most bizarre and incredible was that catch on MNF by Antonio Freeman a few years ago againsts the Vikings.

I remember watching that game - and seeing that catch in replay really tripped me out for sure! Something about Freeman falling down, ball hitting off his shoulder and him twisting to snag it out of the air, wasn't it?

Miller Time · 12-28-2003, 03:56 PM

Tony Champion's catch in the 1988 Grey Cup was unbelievable. Leaping backwards in the endzone he made the td grab. He made the catch with a broken rib too.

Mike Williams's was also one of my favourites.

Front Office Midget · 12-28-2003, 06:34 PM

The Freeman catch vs. the Vikings was incredible. As a Packer fan I remember feeling like our season was on the line in that game, and I remember the weather being really heavy rain. It was an ugly game... 26-20 Packers win after that amazing catch by Freeman.

primelord · 12-29-2003, 09:01 AM

Toby Wright made an unbelieveable interception for the Rams a few years ago. He dove and snared a pass one handed and as he was falling out of bounds couldn't get his other hand on it to put it away. So he slammed it into the side of his helmet and kept it pinned there as he hit the ground and kept control. It was unreal.

Huckleberry · 12-29-2003, 09:41 AM

That Mike Williams catch is pretty much the worst catch mentioned on this thread. Not that it wasn't a great catch, but it's not in the same league as most of these.

First of all, an NFL ball is harder to catch than most college balls. More importantly, he caught it with one hand in the middle of the endzone while some of these catches occurred with one hand while going out of bounds and having to get two feet down all at the same time.

KevinNU7 · 12-29-2003, 09:55 AM

Notre Dame vs Penn State in 1992

Rick Mirer to Brooks on a 2 point conversion to put the Irish up 17-16 with less then a minutre left.

Crapshoot · 12-29-2003, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Easy Mac
Forgot one:

The Terrell Owens catch against Green Bay in the '98 playoffs. It wasn't the greatest catch I've ever seen, but given the circumstances it was one of the best. The first 49ers win against GB in the playoffs in years. The game winning TD. He went over the middle and got drilled... One of the best pressure catches I've ever seen.

Was at the game- the single greatest football moment in my life, until I attended the 49ers- Giants playoff game two years ago..

Personally, the first play from scrimmage for the 49ers in that game was pretty sweet- TO running through the Giants defense like a horse amongst cows...

McSweeny · 12-29-2003, 07:25 PM

Vincent Brisby made an amazing diving catch for a touchdown for the Pats a few years back. That one has always stuck with me

Hijinx · 12-29-2003, 11:41 PM

Rice catching a deep fly route down the sideline, in stride, one handed, with a rams cornerback hanging onto the other arm.

andre woolfolk's off-the-kneepad tip drill catch against nebraska in 2000.

the catch.

Joe J's tip catch... Harrison also had one like that.

The immaculate reception - even though it shouldn't have been

mike westbrooks's catch that beat michigan in the mid-late 90's.

the kicked ball on fourth down reception for that nebraska kid against mizzou that allowed them to win the MNC that year.

mckerney · 12-30-2003, 01:05 AM

My personal favorite is Arlen Bruce catching a tipped pass against #3 Penn State on forth and long, setting up a Dan Nystrom game winning field goal.

Pacersfan46 · 12-30-2003, 07:17 AM

I have to go with that Freeman catch on MNF a couple years back. I couldn't recall it until someone above mentioned what happened.

That was it, bar none. I just can't believe the concentration it took to catch it.

12-27-2003, 08:27 PM	#4
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Yep, that Lloyd catch was utterly UNBELIEVABLE! I don't think I've seen a better catch. He had to turn back to the outside, get his hand on the ball, and then control it with his one hand, cradle with the other, and get both feet inbounds. Jaw dropping. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

12-27-2003, 10:00 PM	#8
WussGawd College Benchwarmer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Avondale, AZ, USA, Planet Earth, Milky Way Galaxy	Todd Heap, ASU, vs. Cal a few years back. He was a true freshman playing for a not very good ASU team. He was upended in the back of the end zone, falling backward as the pass came in, caught it one handed...was the lead highlight on SportsCenter all night that game. Knew he was going to turn into a good pro tight end from that point forward. __________________ "I guess I'll fade into Bolivian." -Mike Tyson, after being knocked out by Lennox Lewis. Proud Dumba Elect of the "Biggest Dumba of FOFC Award" Author of the 2004 Golden Scribe Gold Trophy for Best Basketball Dynasty, It Rhymes With Puke.

12-27-2003, 10:57 PM	#11
SteelerFan448 High School JV Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Steeler Country	Too hard to just pick one. Guys in the NFL like Harrison and Moss make outstanding catches. Ward and Owens make some great ones. Swann years ago, the Immaculate reception. Then in college now, Fitzgerald and Williams have made some really nice ones this year. __________________ "Yoi!"-Myron Cope

12-27-2003, 10:59 PM	#12
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Don't forget Lloyd's today . __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

12-27-2003, 11:28 PM	#13
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	Yeah, but the play following that catch today was actually the best play of the game... __________________ The EagleFan YouTube Channel - Reactions Soarin' & Scratchin' YouTube Channel - We react to music, videos, TV, we talk, we are planning some field trips Soarin' & Soothin' - Meditation, Relaxation, and Sleep Aid; mental health is important

12-27-2003, 08:16 PM	#2
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	Most bizarre and incredible was that catch on MNF by Antonio Freeman a few years ago againsts the Vikings. I remember a guy on the Philadelphia Eagles in the 80's that was the master of the one handed catch, but damn, I forget his name....and he was awesome.

12-27-2003, 08:18 PM	#3
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	Joe Jurevicius MNF catch earlier this year, the one where he tipped it to himself in the end zone over another player, then dove around him to make the catch... and you can throw in his other TD catch that game as well. Also the Mike Williams one-hander.

12-27-2003, 09:16 PM	#5
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Harold Charmichael and Mike Quick used to make some great grabs for the Eagles. The Joe J. catch was amazing. Hard to top the Freeman catch (though that was as much luck as anything else) Having said all of that, the Lloyd catch may be the best I've ever seen. It had it all, ball being thrown away from him, one handed grab, foot drag. Add in the game situation this occured in and you have something truly incredible.

12-27-2003, 09:17 PM	#6
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Mike Williams in the OSU game. One handed catched in the endzone

12-27-2003, 09:25 PM	#7
Easy Mac Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Here	Forgot one: The Terrell Owens catch against Green Bay in the '98 playoffs. It wasn't the greatest catch I've ever seen, but given the circumstances it was one of the best. The first 49ers win against GB in the playoffs in years. The game winning TD. He went over the middle and got drilled... One of the best pressure catches I've ever seen.

12-27-2003, 10:23 PM	#10
sundeviljjoiii n00b Join Date: Nov 2003	It was Mike Renfro and if they would have allowed it the score would have been tied.

12-27-2003, 11:33 PM	#14
mckerney Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	A catch I saw Reggie Wayne make in Miami where he was in the back of the endzone, the pass was low and he reached as he was falling and just got his hand under the ball for a TD.

12-28-2003, 12:11 AM	#17
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	The catch a couple of weeks ago in USC's final game, at the end of the first half. The USC player made a diving one handed catch, it was incredible.

12-28-2003, 01:52 AM	#18
TroyF Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	That one handed diving catch by Harrison last week was a beauty as well. I remember a Bear a few years ago catching the back of the ball and tippy tapping in the end zone. . . can't remember the play, but it was awesome.

12-28-2003, 02:14 AM	#19
Vince Pro Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Willow Glen, CA	Dude, how about The Catch? Now I'm going to have to fire up SportsCenter to see this catch...damn not being able to watch the 49er game today!!! __________________ Every time a Dodger scores a run, an angel has its wings ripped off by a demon, and is forced to tearfully beg the demon to cauterize the wounds.The demon will refuse, and the sobbing angel will lie in a puddle of angel blood and feathers for eternity, wondering why the Dodgers are allowed to score runs.That’s not me talking: that’s science. McCoveyChronicles.com.

12-28-2003, 04:49 AM	#20
miami_fan Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Land O Lakes FL	How about the catch by Charles Rogers against Nortre Dame last year? __________________ "Do not be indifferent in the face of historical lies. Do not be indifferent when you see the past being exploited for the needs of contemporary politics. Do not be indifferent when any minority suffers discrimination. For it's the essence of democracy that the majority wields the power, but at the same time, the rights of the minority must be respected." Marian Turski- former prisoner of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death camp

12-28-2003, 07:13 AM	#21
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	The Charles Woodson interception against Michigan State probably won him the Heisman. A leaping one-handed grab somehow managing to stay inbounds.

12-28-2003, 11:14 AM	#23
Vikings13 n00b Join Date: Oct 2003	Anything Cris Carter ever caught on a sideline was a great catch. That man made a living getting his toes inbounds... __________________ "The Paraguayan Air Force's request for spraying subsidies was not as Paraguayan as it were..."

12-28-2003, 03:56 PM	#26
Miller Time H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ottawa,Ontario	Tony Champion's catch in the 1988 Grey Cup was unbelievable. Leaping backwards in the endzone he made the td grab. He made the catch with a broken rib too. Mike Williams's was also one of my favourites.

12-28-2003, 06:34 PM	#27
Front Office Midget High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Saint Paul, MN	The Freeman catch vs. the Vikings was incredible. As a Packer fan I remember feeling like our season was on the line in that game, and I remember the weather being really heavy rain. It was an ugly game... 26-20 Packers win after that amazing catch by Freeman.

12-29-2003, 09:01 AM	#28
primelord Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000	Toby Wright made an unbelieveable interception for the Rams a few years ago. He dove and snared a pass one handed and as he was falling out of bounds couldn't get his other hand on it to put it away. So he slammed it into the side of his helmet and kept it pinned there as he hit the ground and kept control. It was unreal.

12-29-2003, 09:41 AM	#29
Huckleberry College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001	That Mike Williams catch is pretty much the worst catch mentioned on this thread. Not that it wasn't a great catch, but it's not in the same league as most of these. First of all, an NFL ball is harder to catch than most college balls. More importantly, he caught it with one hand in the middle of the endzone while some of these catches occurred with one hand while going out of bounds and having to get two feet down all at the same time. __________________ The one thing all your failed relationships have in common is you. The Barking Carnival (Longhorn-centered sports blog) College Football Adjusted Stats and Ratings Last edited by Huckleberry : 12-29-2003 at 09:41 AM.

12-29-2003, 09:55 AM	#30
KevinNU7 College Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: Beantown	Notre Dame vs Penn State in 1992 Rick Mirer to Brooks on a 2 point conversion to put the Irish up 17-16 with less then a minutre left. __________________ Boston Bashers - III.14 - (8347)

12-29-2003, 07:25 PM	#32
McSweeny College Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Somerville, MA	Vincent Brisby made an amazing diving catch for a touchdown for the Pats a few years back. That one has always stuck with me

12-29-2003, 11:41 PM	#33
Hijinx Mascot Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Valhalla, VA	Rice catching a deep fly route down the sideline, in stride, one handed, with a rams cornerback hanging onto the other arm. andre woolfolk's off-the-kneepad tip drill catch against nebraska in 2000. the catch. Joe J's tip catch... Harrison also had one like that. The immaculate reception - even though it shouldn't have been mike westbrooks's catch that beat michigan in the mid-late 90's. the kicked ball on fourth down reception for that nebraska kid against mizzou that allowed them to win the MNC that year. __________________ Regards, Hijinx

12-30-2003, 01:05 AM	#34
mckerney Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	My personal favorite is Arlen Bruce catching a tipped pass against #3 Penn State on forth and long, setting up a Dan Nystrom game winning field goal.

12-30-2003, 07:17 AM	#35
Pacersfan46 H.S. Freshman Team Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis	I have to go with that Freeman catch on MNF a couple years back. I couldn't recall it until someone above mentioned what happened. That was it, bar none. I just can't believe the concentration it took to catch it.

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