$100
Own a piece of college football history! This rare vintage Stanford tee commemorates "The Play", or more apt. "The 11-20-1982 Robbery" — the infamous, controversial finish to the 1982 Big Game between Stanford and Cal.
Features bold retro graphics and classic Cardinal pride, capturing the chaos, rivalry, and heartbreak of one of the wildest endings in sports history.
Perfect for collectors, die-hard fans, or anyone who remembers when the band really was out on the field.
Size: small/med (38-40)
Condition: Gently worn, graphics still pop
Local pickup or shipping available
Relive the madness. Go Card.
HISTORY LESSON:
Date: November 20, 1982
Venue: Cal’s Memorial Stadium
Stakes: The annual Bay Area rivalry game, full of tension and tradition
Stanford, led by future NFL Hall of Famer John Elway, had just made a clutch drive in the final minute, setting up a field goal to take the lead, 20–19, with only four seconds left on the clock.
“The Play”:
On the ensuing kickoff, Cal received the ball with just seconds remaining. What happened next was pure chaos:
Cal began a desperate, lateral-filled return.
Five lateral passes later, and with Stanford players, coaches, and even the Stanford Band running onto the field thinking the game was over...
Cal’s Kevin Moen charged into the end zone — colliding with a Stanford trombone player — scoring a touchdown.
Cal won 25–20.
Why It's Called a “Robbery” by Stanford Fans:
Many Stanford fans and players argue that multiple rules were broken or ignored:
Lateral #3 (Dwight Garner): His knee may have been down before he got the pass off.
Lateral #5 (Mariet Ford to Moen): May have been an illegal forward lateral.
The Band on the Field: The field was swarming with Stanford Band members and others before the play was over, arguably interfering with play.
Premature whistles: Some claim refs blew the play dead mid-way.
Despite all this, the referees let the touchdown stand, and the game ended in chaos — Cal victorious, Stanford stunned.
Legacy of "The Robbery"
Stanford fans see it as a blown call that stole victory.
Cal fans see it as one of the greatest plays ever, made even better by the band on the field.
“The Play” has been replayed and dissected for decades — and is now engraved in football lore.
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