Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Piggy-backing off the interception thread, here is what popped into my head.

1/17/1988: Jeremiah Castille, Browns vs. Broncos, AFC Championship. The Fumble
11/19/1978: Herm Edwards, Eagles vs. Giants. Miracle in the Meadowlands
9/10/1978: Dave Casper, Raiders vs. Chargers. The Holy Roller
10/25/1964: Jim Marshall, Vikings vs. 49ers. Wrong way run for safety
1/12/1986: Wilbur Marshall, Rams vs. Bears, NFC Championship
1/31/1993: Leon Lett, Cowboys vs. Bills, SB 27
1/14/1973: Mike Bass, Redskins vs. Dolphins, SB 7
11/4/1923: George Halas, Bears vs. Oorang Indians. 98-yd return stands for 49 seasons
1/15/2006: Nick Harper, Colts vs. Steelers, AFC Divisional
9/17/2015: Bradley Roby, Broncos vs. Chiefs. Perhaps too recent to be "famous"

Feel free to add, subtract, rearrange and enjoy!

*Jack Tatum's 104-yard fumble return against the Packers on 9/24/72, which broke the Halas mark--even though it would have been overturned had replay been available.

*Ralph Baker's recovery of the Daryle Lamonica to Charlie Smith " lateral on 12/29/68, clinching the 1968 AFL title for the Jets. Oakland had first down at the Jet 24 with roughly two minutes left when the play happened.

Three non-fumbles that were historic:

*The Tuck rule game in January 2002.
*The Bert Jones fumble late in the Week 14 game in 1977 against New England. It kept Baltimore from getting knocked out and kept out Miami.
*Frank Gifford's fumble late in the 10-10 game vs. Cleveland on 12/14/58. It was ruled an incomplete pass, which kept the drive alive and allowed Pat Summerall to kick his 50-yard miracle (somewhat similar to the Tuck Rule finish)

George Halas stripped Jim Thorpe of the ball, recovered it and returned it for a 98 yard touchdown on 11/4/23 vs the Oorang Indians: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/b ... 040chi.htm

Duane Thomas' controversial fumble two yards from paydirt in Super Bowl V.

It's important to distinguish between famous fumbles and famous fumble recoveries/returns. I wouldn't necessarily include Castille's recovery in the Top Ten.

Some ones that came to mind:
Jim Duncan's recovery of a Duane Thomas fumble at the goalline in Super Bowl V. Even though he may have not recovered it. Dave Manders was always adamant that he had recovered the ball, but Billy Ray Smith had shouted "Our ball," and the officials awarded Baltimore possession.

Another well known Baltimore fumble recovery was on the first play of the their 1965 playoff game with Green Bay. Don Shinnick scooped up a Bill Anderson fumble to give Tom Matte a 7-0 lead. While Shinnick was heading to the end zone, Bart Starr tried to tackle him. Starr not only failed to prevent a score, he injured his ribs and was forced out of the game.

James Washington's weaving 46 yard run with a Thurman Thomas fumble to tie the score at 13 in Super Bowl XXVIII.

Malik Jackson (Denver): 2015 SB 50 vs. Panthers (TD off of a Von Miller strip sack)

DeMarcus Ware (Denver): 2015 AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Steelers (in 4th quarter)

Kyle Williams' fumbles for San Fran against the Giants: 2011 NFC Title Game

Reshard Mendenhall's fumble that was forced by Clay Matthews: 2010 SB 45

Lawrence Taylor's recovery of Roger Craig's fumble which set up the game-winning field goal for the Giants in the 1990 NFC title game.

It's overlooked because of The Catch, but what about Jim Stuckey recovery of a Danny White fumble after a sack by Lawrence PiIlers in 49er territory? If Dallas could have gotten a few yards, Rafael Septien would have tried a FG to win the 1981 NFC Conference Championship Game.

Todd Pence wrote:Lawrence Taylor's recovery of Roger Craig's fumble which set up the game-winning field goal for the Giants in the 1990 NFC title game.

Really underrated recovery there. Less than 3 minutes to go...does anybody recall how many time outs the Giants had at that point?

Teo wrote:It's overlooked because of The Catch, but what about Jim Stuckey recovery of a Danny White fumble after a sack by Lawrence PiIlers in 49er territory? If Dallas could have gotten a few yards, Rafael Septien would have tried a FG to win the 1981 NFC Conference Championship Game.

The horse collar tackle of Drew Pearson by Eric Wright right before it probably prevented a Dallas TD.