Fred Swearingen
Encyclopedia
Fred Swearingen, of Athens, Ohio, was a former official in the National Football League
, serving as both a referee and field judge from 1960 through 1980. He wore number 21 for the major part of his career. He is best remembered for two particular calls during Pittsburgh Steelers
games.
Divisional Playoff
game between the Pittsburgh Steelers
and the Oakland Raiders
at Three Rivers Stadium
. 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 John "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. 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.
, Swearingen (by now a field judge) found himself in the middle of another controversial call. 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, back judge Pat Knight 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 (a play on which Cowboys safety Charlie Waters
was in position to make the tackle before he collided with umpire Art Demmas
) 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.
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, serving as both a referee and field judge from 1960 through 1980. He wore number 21 for the major part of his career. He is best remembered for two particular calls during Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
games.
The Immaculate Reception
On December 23, 1972, Swearingen was the Referee for an AFCAmerican Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
Divisional Playoff
NFL playoffs, 1972-73
The NFL playoffs following the 1972 NFL season led up to Super Bowl VII. Like the previous NFL seasons, the home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly divisional rotation, excluding the wild card teams who would always play on the road.-Bracket:...
game between the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
at Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
. Following a scoreless first half, Roy Gerela
Roy Gerela
Roy Gerela is a former American football placekicker best known for his years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he won three Super Bowl rings....
kicked two field goals for a 6-0 Steeler lead. But late in the 4th quarter, Raider backup quarterback Ken Stabler
Ken Stabler
Kenneth "Kenny" Michael Stabler , is a former American football quarterback in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders , the Houston Oilers , and the New Orleans Saints...
(replacing a flu-ridden, ineffective Daryle Lamonica
Daryle Lamonica
Daryle Pat Lamonica is a former American collegiate and professional football quarterback who played in the American Football League, and later in the NFL....
) 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
Terry Bradshaw
Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
scrambled under Raider pressure, looking for receiver Barry Pearson
Barry Pearson
Barry Lynn Pearson is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for four seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs .-References:...
before spotting John "Frenchy" Fuqua. But at the Raider 35-yard line, safety Jack Tatum
Jack Tatum
John David Tatum was an American football defensive back who played ten seasons from 1971 through 1980 for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers in the National Football League...
collided with Fuqua, sending the ball wobbling backward where rookie running back Franco Harris
Franco Harris
Franco Harris is a former American football player. He played his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.In the 1972 NFL Draft he was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round, the 13th selection overall...
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
Pat Harder
Marlin M. "Pat" Harder was a college and professional football player, playing fullback and kicker. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993....
and field judge Adrian Burk
Adrian Burk
Adrian Matthew Burk was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Baylor University and was drafted in the first round of the 1950 NFL Draft...
, but then went into a phone booth and called NFL supervisor of officials Art McNally
Art McNally
Art McNally is a former Director of Officiating for the National Football League from 1968 to 1990. Before becoming Director of Officiating, McNally served as a field judge and referee in the NFL for nine years from 1959 to 1967...
for his view. McNally was watching the replays on TV used that to confirm his opinion that it hit both Tatum and Fuqua. Instant replay would not appear for use by officials in the NFL until 1986
1986 NFL season
The 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:...
. 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.
Super Bowl XIII
In Super Bowl XIII between the Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys on January 21, 1979 at the Orange BowlMiami Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team...
, Swearingen (by now a field judge) found himself in the middle of another controversial call. 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
Lynn Swann
-Collegiate:Swann attended the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American on the Trojans football team. He played under legendary coach John McKay, including the 1972 undefeated and national championship season. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace." He...
, who was closely covered by cornerback Benny Barnes
Benny Barnes
Benny Jewell Barnes is a former American Football cornerback who played eleven seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys...
. The two stumbled over each other, and another official, back judge Pat Knight 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 (a play on which Cowboys safety Charlie Waters
Charlie Waters
Charlie Tutan Waters is a former American football safety for the Dallas Cowboys from 1970-1981 in the National Football League...
was in position to make the tackle before he collided with umpire Art Demmas
Art Demmas
Art Demmas was an American Professional Football on-field official for 28 seasons. He was in the American Football League in 1968 and 1969 and in the NFL from the 1970 to 1996 NFL season. During his career as a Professional Football official, Demmas was assigned to four Super Bowls , all as an...
) 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.