Fred Swearingen

Fred Swearingen, of Athens, Ohio, was a former official in the National Football League, serving as both a referee and side judge. He is best remembered for making two controversial calls in two postseason games, both of which benefitted the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Immaculate Reception

"Main article: The Immaculate Reception"

On December 23, 1972, Swearingen was the head referee for an AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium [http://www.profootballhof.com/hall/story.jsp?story_id=436] . Following a scoreless first half, Roy Gerela kicked two field goals for a 6-0 Steeler lead. But late in the 4th quarter, Raider backup quarterback Ken Stabler (replacing a flu-ridden, ineffective Daryle Lamonica) scampered 30 yards for a touchdown to give Oakland a 7-6 lead with time running out.

Then with 22 seconds remaining, Pittsburgh was on its 40-yard line on 4th and 10. Terry Bradshaw scrambled under Raider pressure, looking for receiver Barry Pearson before spotting Frenchy Fuqua. But at the Raider 35-yard line, safety Jack Tatum collided with Fuqua, sending the ball wobbling backward where rookie running back Franco Harris scooped up the ball, running untouched into the end zone. But no officials signaled a touchdown because under the rules of that time, there could not be a legal catch if the ball touched two offensive players in succession. If the ball either bounced off both Tatum and Fuqua, or hit only Tatum, the catch would be legal. Swearingen consulted with umpire Pat Harder and field judge Adrian Burk, but then went into a phone booth and called NFL supervisor of officials Art McNally for his view. McNally was watching the replays on TV used that to confirm his opinion that it hit both Tatum and Fuqua. (It should be noted that instant replay would not appear for use by officials in the NFL until 1986.) Swearingen emerged and made his ruling that the play was a touchdown, in the process angering the Raiders. The Steelers won 13-7, and the win led to the beginning of that team's great success of the 1970s.

uper Bowl XIII

"Main article: Super Bowl XIII"

In Super Bowl XIII between the Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl, Swearingen (by now a field judge) found himself in the middle of another controversial call [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/classic/superbowls/xiii/] . Midway through the 4th quarter, the Steelers held to a slim 21-17 lead when Bradshaw dropped back to pass from their 44 yard line. He launched a deep pass to wideout Lynn Swann, who was closely covered by cornerback Benny Barnes. The two stumbled over each other, and another official ruled it an incompletion. Swearingen overruled the official and ruled pass interference on Barnes. Several Cowboys argued that the call should have been either interference on Swann or incidental contact (which would mean no penalty should have been called). The call stood, and later in the drive Franco Harris ran 22 yards for a touchdown and a 28-17 lead. A late Cowboy rally resulted in the final score being a 35-31 Steeler win. Later, the NFL ruled Swearingen was in error with his interference call.

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