"Ghost to the Post" Stabler 42 Yard Pass to Casper
"Ghost to the Post" Stabler 42 Yard Pass to Casper
December 24, 1977

"Ghost to the Post" Stabler 42 Yard Pass to Casper

"I was the ghost and I ran to the post." - Dave Casper

Dave Casper, the Hall of Fame tight end, caught three touchdown passes, including the game winner, in the Raiders’ thrilling double-overtime win in an AFC divisional playoff game against the Colts on the day before Christmas in 1977. But it was a play that Casper didn’t score on that would be best remembered: The Ghost to the Post. About two minutes remained in the fourth quarter of the battle at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, and the Colts led, 31-28. The Raiders had the ball in their own territory, and quarterback Ken Stabler went back to throw. From the pocket he calmly threw a left-handed rainbow to Casper, who was going deep. In the neighborhood of two defenders, Casper caught the ball over his shoulder in perfect stride for a 42-yard gain. The Raiders would tie the game with a field goal and then win it in double-overtime, 37-31, on another pass play from Stabler to Casper. The name “Ghost to the Post” was based on the type of route that Casper followed on the play, and because the receiver’s nickname was Ghost, as in the cartoon character, Casper the Friendly Ghost.