Former Steelers WR, ‘Immaculate Reception’ target, dies at 76

Barry Pearson, a former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and the man who caught the legendary "Immaculate Reception" in 1972, passed away on August 16 at the age of 76. Born in Geneseo, Illinois, Pearson began playing football as a youth, eventually becoming a standout athlete in multiple sports. He led Geneseo High School to a 52-game winning streak, earning multiple Division I scholarship offers and ultimately choosing Northwestern University.

At Northwestern, Pearson became one of the conference's top receivers, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1970 and 1971. After his college career, the Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent shortly before his graduation. After struggling to find playing time in Pittsburgh, Pearson was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974.

He had a successful stint with Kansas City, catching 27 passes for 387 yards and a touchdown in his first season with the team. Pearson's career came to an end in 1976 due to a knee injury, but he remained active in the world of sports. He briefly coached wide receivers at Oklahoma State before retiring and returning to Connecticut to raise his family.

Pearson was inducted into the Geneseo High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and retired from his position as President of HPC Foodservice in 2016.