Moment 12: Johnson's Super Diving Catch
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The Dallas Cowboys were beating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII, but the Dallas players were getting beat up in the process. Quarterback Roger Staubach had to leave the game for a short time due to a broken fingertip. Wide receiver Butch Johnson had to have his hand wrapped after having his thumb broken.
The Cowboys fought through the pain for a 13-3 lead in the third quarter.
With momentum in the balance, Dallas faced a critical 3rd and 10 at the Broncos 45-yard line.
The play that Cowboys coach Tom Landry sent from the sideline was not designed to go to Johnson, but an adjustment by Staubach in the huddle changed that. What resulted is one of the most memorable catches in Super Bowl history.
Watch: Johnson & Staubach Discuss Acrobatic Catch
Staubach thought that he had overthrown Johnson when the threw the ball deep, but Johnson made a spectacular diving catch. The second-year wide reciever dove from the 5-yard line and hauled in the pass for a 45-yard touchdown. It gave Dallas a 17-point lead on their way to a 27-10 victory.
Johnson's acrobatic catch is the 12th greatest moment in Cowboys history.