NFL Power Rankings: The Greatest Plays Of All-Time

#10:  The Lynn Swann Levitating Leap

*Skip to 2:25 for the play

Going into Super Bowl X, wide receiver Lynn Swann of the Pittsburgh Steelers was racked with uncertainty.  The last time he’d played in the Super Bowl the year before, he hadn’t caught a pass and now he was coming into his second recovering from a concussion he’d suffered in the AFC championship game against Oakland.

Facing a highly talented and well-coached Dallas Cowboys team, Swann knew he had to step up if the Steelers were going to repeat as champions.  What followed were some of the most acrobatic and almost beautiful displays of pass catching ever witness.  None more so than the one that became known as the Levitating Leap.

Late in the 1st half, Pittsburgh was driving to tie the game and needed a big play to conserve time.  Terry Bradshaw took a chance and fired a bomb downfield to Swann who was blanketed by Dallas corner Mark Washington.  Both went up at the same time and tipped the ball back into the air.  Swann had the upper position and managed to stay balanced while going to the ground, even using his knees to propel him forward enough to corral the pass for a 53-yard gain.

The amazing play didn’t lead to a score as the ensuing field goal attempt was missed, but it did help Swann get more attention from Bradshaw, who later found him for the winning touchdown late in the game, granting the receiver MVP honors.

Next: #9