40 Years Ago – The Refs Crushed Our Super Bowl Dreams

January 6, 1980, still stings in Houston. The Oilers had battled their way to the AFC Championship, carrying the hopes of a city chanting “Luv Ya Blue” from afar as they landed in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ Three Rivers Stadium was packed, a fortress of black and gold, but Houston fans held tight to their anthem, a sea of blue against a wall of steel.

Late in the third quarter, Houston had a chance to tie the game when Pastorini threw a pass to wide receiver Mike Renfro in the end zone. Replays clearly showed Renfro securing the ball for what appeared to be a touchdown, but the officials ruled it incomplete. The call sparked immediate controversy and is now considered one of the most disputed in NFL history. Many believe that if the touchdown had been allowed, the Oilers’ momentum and possibly the outcome of the game could have been very different.

The Steelers ultimately won 27-13, advancing to the Super Bowl while the Oilers were left to wonder what might have been. Renfro’s “Catch” remains a defining moment in Houston sports history, often cited when discussing the NFL’s most infamous calls, and led to the NFL using instant replay.

Over four decades later, that game still resonates with fans. This Monday night, the Houston Texans will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Game, giving the city a new chance to compete against the same team that ended the Oilers’ dreams. We will be watching closely, remembering Mike Renfro’s catch and hoping for a different outcome this time around.

Luv Ya Blue & Go Texans!

Doug O’Brien