Football is not just a game of strength and strategy; oftentimes, a moment of brilliance can flip the game on its head. One moment that fans always remember is an incredible catch. Whether it's the last-gasp effort in the fourth quarter of a Super Bowl, stretching out to grab the ball in the end zone, or pulling off an acrobatic one-handed catch, these spectacular catches have played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the sport.
Here is a short list of the most memorable catches in football history (in our opinion):
- The "Odell One-Handed Catch" by Odell Beckham in 2014 against the Dallas Cowboys
- Dwight Clark's "The Catch" in the 1981 NFC Championship
- Santonio Holmes's Super Bowl XLIII game-winning toe-drag catch
- David Tyree's "Helmet Catch" in Super Bowl XLII
- Julian Edelman’s game-saving catch in Super Bowl LI against the Falcons
- Lynn Swann’s acrobatic catch in Super Bowl X
- Garrett Wilson's "Odell-like" Catch in 2024
- Randy Moss's one-handed catch against Darrelle Revis in 2007
- Justin Jefferson's "insane" catch against the Buffalo Bills
- Drew Pearson’s “Hail Mary” catch
These catches, each astonishing in their own right, are a testament to why we football players and fans love the game. The combination of incredible competitiveness with feats of athletic heroism is what makes football special. Let's take a closer look at some of the catches we decided to highlight in this article.
Top 5 All-Time Catches Due to the Situation + the Difficulty
Dwight Clark's "The Catch"
The Situation: The 1981 NFC Championship game was a nail-biter. San Francisco 49ers were trailing by 6 points against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter, with only 58 seconds left on the clock.
About the Catch: In a do-or-die moment, under soaring pressure, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana lobbed the ball toward the end zone with tight end Dwight Clark being the intended receiver. In a phenomenal display of athleticism, Clark made a leaping catch to win the NFC title game and seal their place in Super Bowl XVI, creating an unforgettable moment.
Julian Edelman's Super Bowl LI Catch
The Situation: It was Super Bowl LI, and the New England Patriots were trailing 28-20 to the Atlanta Falcons. With just 2 minutes 28 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Patriots were in dire need of an extraordinary play.
About the Catch: The ball intended for Edelman was tipped by a Falcon's defender yet, battling against three different defenders, Edelman pulled down a tough catch for the ages. Edelman’s catch helped the Patriots to tie the game and eventually lead to a Super Bowl victory, completing the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history.
David Tyree's "Helmet Catch" in Super Bowl XLII
The Situation: In Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants were trailing 14-10 against the undefeated New England Patriots. With 59 seconds left in the game, the Giants needed an offensive spark to take the lead.
About the Catch: Giants’ wide receiver David Tyree, well-defended by Patriots' Rodney Harrison, managed a spectacular and improbable catch by pinning the ball against his helmet. The "Helmet Catch" was a game-winning touchdown for the Giants Super Bowl XLII. It propelled them to a shocking upset of the Tom Brady-led 18-0 New England Patriots that none of us are soon to forget.
Santonio Holmes's Toe-Drag Catch in Super Bowl XLIII
The Situation: With less than a minute left in Super Bowl XLIII, the Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing 23-20 against the Arizona Cardinals. They had the ball on Arizona's 6-yard line and needed a go-ahead touchdown to take the lead.
About the Catch: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Holmes in the back right corner of the end zone. Despite limited space, Holmes made a spectacular toe-dragging catch while maintaining control of the ball to score the winning touchdown, clinching the Super Bowl for the Steelers.
Lynn Swann’s Goes Up for It in Super Bowl X
The Situation: Super Bowl X was a tightly contested affair between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys. In the second quarter, with the game tied at 7-7, the Steelers were on the Dallas 53-yard line, looking to seize the lead.
About the Catch: Steelers' receiver Lynn Swann somehow out-leaped Cowboys' cornerback Mel Renfro to make an acrobatic 53-yard touchdown catch. This catch was instrumental in securing a victory for the Steelers and cementing his reputation as one of the greatest receivers in Super Bowl history.
Catches that Were Just Insane
Odell Beckham Jr's One-Handed Catch
Odell Beckham Jr’s name is almost synonymous with one of the most incredible catches in football history. Back in a 2014 game, the Giants' wide receiver executed a mesmerizing one-handed catch to score a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite being fouled during the play, Beckham Jr., with arm outstretched, reined in the 43-yard pass with just three fingers. As he made the amazing catch, his body was almost entirely stretched out of bounds as he crossed the goal line but his feet were in, leading to an unforgettable regular season moment. His stunning athleticism sparked a social media frenzy, inviting comparisons to the greatest catches ever made in football.
Randy Moss's One-Handed Catch against Darrelle Revis
In a regular season game against the New York Jets in 2010, New England Patriots' veteran HOF receiver, Randy Moss, effortlessly pulled off a one-handed touchdown catch against cornerback Darrelle Revis. What was remarkable about this 34-yard touchdown was the ease with which Moss made the catch seem. It left an indelible mark in the minds of viewers and is still lauded by football enthusiasts for its effortless brilliance.
Justin Jefferson’s Fourth Down Conversion Catch
Last season, during a game against the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson caught an in-traffic, next-to-impossible pass on a 4th-and-18. The exhilarating catch stole the breath of spectators as Jefferson successfully wrestled the ball from the defender's hands. The football never touched the ground even when Jefferson rolled over, leading to enlivened reactions from fans and experts alike.
Garrett Wilson’s Odell-like Catch
In a match in 2024, New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson mimicked the iconic Odell Beckham Jr's one-handed touchdown grab. Despite losing his balance, Wilson caught the ball almost horizontally in mid-air; a sight to behold. The stunning catch set social media ablaze, leading to enthusiastic debates about its comparison with Beckham’s legendary catch.
Drew Pearson's "Hail Mary" Catch
Making a last-ditch effort to win their final game of the 1975 season against the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach hurled a desperate pass. In an unforgettable turn of events, wide receiver Drew Pearson made a miraculous catch and carried it into the end zone. This electrifying play dubbed as the original "Hail Mary" catch led to an outpour of public excitement and consequently, the term "Hail Mary pass" came to symbolize a game-changing, last-minute play.
What Makes a Great Catch?
Athleticism
Making a great catch requires an intense level of concentration. Wide receivers need impeccable focus to monitor the ball's trajectory, prepare their body to receive it, and avoid the opposing defenders, all in split seconds.
Additionally, the physical dexterity that these players display plays a massive role. To adjust their route according to the football's path, reach the targeted location, and secure their grip on the ball even amidst incoming tackles - these all require tremendous agility, speed, and strength.
Situation
The game situation can significantly influence the significance of a catch. A touchdown caught in the last minutes of the Super Bowl will arguably leave a more lasting impression than one caught in the first quarter of a regular-season game. Thus, the stage and stakes of the game undoubtedly contribute to the catches that are etched in our memories.
Iconic
When we say “iconic,” we mean there are certain types of catches that are simply known as being spectacular. One-handed catches, “Mosses,” and acrobatic catches just up the ante, making them more of a spectacle in the eyes of fans. This is to say that there are certainly catches that from the player’s perspective, were one of the best of their career in terms of difficulty. However, these catches may not be remembered since the way the catch was performed does not fit into one of these categories we fans associate with an incredible catch (one-handed, Mossed, etc).
How Grip Boost Can Help You Add Your Name to the History Books
There's still one crucial component that is overlooked in all of these catches - excellent grip. That's where Grip Boost can lend a hand.
At Grip Boost, we have developed high-quality football gloves intended to provide unbeatable grip, durability, and comfort. These gloves are designed to ensure superior control over the ball thanks to the best tackiness (stickiness) available in the market. If you've got plans of making a memorable catch, you'll want these gloves on your team.
But we didn't stop at making gloves. Grip Boost football gel gives athletes that extra stick that they need to make those spectacular one-handed catches play after play. Simple to reapply to your gloves, it provides the ultimate grip for players compared to old gloves where it is easy to wear down their tackiness.
So, if you've ever dreamed of making a catch that would have the fans on their feet, Grip Boost can give you the edge you need to turn that dream into a reality. Try Grip Boost youth or adult football gloves today and who knows, we might be talking about your catch in our next article!