Mariet Ford won a place in sports history on Nov. 20, 1982, for his role in one of the most unforgettable moments in athletics. Mariet's Cal Berkeley Bears trailed their arch rivals, the Stanford Cardinal, 19-20. The Bears received the kickoff, pitched the ball five times, and -- with no time on the clock -- evaded the Cardinal's tacklers as well as the marching band to score the winning touchdown. The kickoff return has been ranked one of the most memorable replays of all time. It is so famous, it is known simply as "The Play." CNN and SportsIllustrated ranked it among "Our Favorite Games."
Mariet's life took a turn for the worse 20 years later when his pregnant wife and 3-year-old son were murdered and their bodies set on fire. Mariet was convicted of the crime. He has always proclaimed he was innocent. And the details of the case leave Monday morning quarterbacks room to wonder: Did he do it?
