The Redemption Reception
Flashback: The Redemption ReceptionBy Andrew Everett
NFL.com
SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 3, 1999) Dwight Clark didn't get to name "The Catch." Given the
opportunity, Terrell Owens was happy to christen the San Francisco 49ers' latest
remarkable reception "The Redemption Catch."
Owens' self-proclaimed moniker sums up perfectly the play that won the latest in the
best series of grudge matches the NFL has seen this decade in a 30-27 NFC Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.
"It was one of the big catches in this organization's history," 49ers head coach Steve Mariucci said.
More importantly for Owens, the grab was redemption for his poor play earlier a fumble on the opening drive and dropped passes on what looked like a sure touchdown in the second quarter as well as a drive-ending third-down play that set up the Packers' potential game-winning touchdown with 1:56 remaining.
"I knew that I was going to have to make a big play," Owens said. "I had had a rough day up to that point. I had fumbled earlier and missed some catches I should have had. I just knew that I had to make a play for this team."
No one was more thrilled than Mariucci. "I was so happy for him because he had a couple of plays he'd like to have back," Mariucci said. "And he made the play to win the game for us."
Steve Young thought that Owens' catch meant much more than just a victory it meant the avoidance of mental anguish over a long offseason.
"Terrell is a serious guy," Young said. "He makes a mistake, he carries it with him, maybe even inordinately so. So that's a big play for him."
All the guilt and frustration that Owens carried on his broad shoulders heading into the final drive came cascading off with his dramatic, game-winning grab with three seconds remaining.
After slicing up the middle and hauling in a bullet from Young, Owens took a sharp blow from Packers safety Darren Sharper before landing in the end zone. Before he could move, he was buried under a pile of teammates and drowned in a sea of cheers from the sellout crowd.
When Owens emerged from the celebration, he had tears streaming down his face and a look that combined pain and joy.
"Terrell Owens was beside himself," Mariucci said."Geez, I couldn't tell if he was hurt or crying."
It first appeared that Owens had been injured on the play, as he clutched his arms to his chest. But the clenched shoulders merely signified how tightly he was hugging the football while baring his soul.
"All year I had been making plays and did not want to get in a big game and choke up," Owens said.
It took Owens a while to acknowledge the crowd that he had thrown into a frenzy. He seemed too focused on his own joy and relief and on receiving the ecstatic hugs of his teammates. It was clear their affection meant the world to the young wide receiver. Then, as if snapping out of a funk, Owens whirled towards the crowd, took their adulation into his outstretched arms and, in a burst of energy, hurled the game-winning ball 40 rows deep.
As if atoning for their own sins for booing and doubting Owens after his second-quarter drop, the five to 10 fans who reached for the pass all dropped it. All was forgiven, the redemption complete.
"All my teammates were encouraging me to keep my head up. The guys were telling me on the sideline during the game to stick with it and you will get another opportunity," Owens said. "I'm glad I got the chance at the end to redeem myself for my team."
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