Jack Fleming, the former Pittsburgh Steelers announcer known for his dramatic call of the "Immaculate Reception," died January 3, 2001. He was 77.

The Morgantown, W.Va., native, died at his Pittsburgh home, West Virginia sports information director Shelly Poe said.

The Dominion Post newspaper in Morgantown reported that Fleming died from a stroke.

Fleming's colorful descriptions of Jerry West as a collegian during 42 years of broadcasting West Virginia football and basketball earned him a reputation among his peers as one of the best play-by-play men.

Fleming announced four Super Bowls, several college bowl games, the 1960 Rome Olympics, NCAA Final Fours and some of West's high school games in a career that spanned more than 50 years.

Fleming was play-by-play man for Mountaineers football and basketball from 1947 to 1959 the year West's West Virginia team lost 71-70 to California in the NCAA final.

Franco Harris's 1972 "Immaculate Reception" was the highlight of Fleming's career.

"Hold onto your hats, here come the Steelers out of the huddle," Fleming said. "It's down to one big play, fourth down and 10 yards to go. (Terry) Bradshaw's running out of the pocket, looking for somebody to throw to. ... He fires it downfield, and there's a collision! And it's caught out of the air! The ball is pulled in by Franco Harris! Harris is going for a touchdown for Pittsburgh!"

The Bradshaw to Harris 60-yard pass play in the final seconds gave the Steelers a 13-7 victory over Oakland in an AFC divisional playoff game.

Don Nehlen, who retired last week as West Virginia's football coach after 21 seasons, said Fleming's voice was "absolutely made for radio. You recognized it immediately."

"I came here in 1980 and he was 'Mr. Mountaineer,"' Nehlen said Wednesday night. "He was a great, great announcer for us in both football and basketball. Everybody in this state identified with Jack Fleming.

"He was something special. He's going to be missed. A lot of people identified West Virginia University athletics with Jack Fleming."

Fleming also called Chicago Bulls games during the early 1970s.