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How Mel Gray's 'Phantom Catch' became part of St. Louis football lore

Related Topics: Mel Gray, St. Louis, Pat Fischer

The Big Red went 7-1 in those games, with none more spine-tingling than a 20-17 overtime victory over rival Washington on Nov. 16 at Busch Stadium II. With 20 seconds left in regulation, quarterback Jim Hart threw a 6-yard pass to wide receiver Mel Gray for a touchdown.

With former Cardinal Pat Fischer defending for Washington, the ball was in and out of Gray's hands quickly. Two game officials signaled touchdown; one signaled incomplete pass.

Officials huddled for three minutes — an eternity in the days prior to instant replay — before finally ruling it a TD.