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Weekend Of Events Planned To Celebrate Immaculate Reception Anniversary

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- This weekend marks 40 years since the greatest play in NFL history, the Immaculate Reception, and a weekend full of events are being planned to celebrate.

Florida residents Jennifer Becker and Alex Valeski were not born in time to see the famous catch, but they'll be at Sunday's game to catch the special halftime show.

"We were on our way to Pittsburgh, and he told me this is the 40th anniversary," said Becker. "I was like, wow. So, he had to show me the play. I'm excited to be a part of it."

"She's been a Steeler fan for quite a while, and she's never been to a game," said Valeski. "She's from Texas."

The actual football is on loan to the Heinz History Center by the West Mifflin man who corralled it in the end zone.

The History Center will also host Franco Harris and teammates for "Immaculate Reception Memories" on Saturday at noon. Tickets are required.

Steelers spokesman Rick Giugliano says former players and fans will gather at the exact spot where the catch was made later in the day for the unveiling of the Immaculate Reception monument.

"We're trying to make it look as realistic as possible. As you can see, that's the 30-yard line, on or about the spot where the catch was made by Franco Harris," he said. "We'll unveil it at 4:15 [p.m.]. Shortly thereafter, we're going to have a free event at Stage AE. The doors open at 6 p.m. When we open, we're going to show the Immaculate Reception NFL Films show."

"We're going to have opportunities for people to win some Franco Harris autographed items, some gift cards, some collectibles from the Immaculate Reception, and we're going to give away five sets of tickets to the game on Sunday," Giugliano added.

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