Post by barb43 on Dec 22, 2022 4:20:02 GMT
Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris has died at the age of 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
Harris played for the Steelers from 1972 to 1983 and was famous for that incredible play that won the Steelers their first playoff game 50 years ago.
Several events were planned in Pittsburgh in the days ahead marking the anniversary of The Immaculate Reception.
The cause of Franco Harris’ death was not immediately known.
“It is difficult to find the appropriate words to describe Franco Harris’ impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his teammates, the City of Pittsburgh and Steelers Nation,” team President Art Rooney II said in a statement. “From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field. He never stopped giving back in so many ways. He touched so many, and he was loved by so many.”
Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.
With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40 yard line and 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Bradshaw drifted back and threw deep to running back French Fuqua. Fuqua and Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum collided, sending the ball careening back toward midfield in the direction of Harris.
While nearly everyone else on the field stopped, Harris kept his legs churning, snatching the ball just inches above the Three Rivers Stadium turf near the Oakland 45 then outracing several stunned Raider defenders to give the Steelers their first playoff victory in the franchise's four-decade history.
“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris said after the "Immaculate Reception" was voted the greatest play in NFL history during the league's 100th anniversary season in 2020.
www.wtae.com/article/steelers-hall-of-famer-franco-harris-dead-at-72/42304035
So sad! Franco was only 72! He's gone waayyy too soon! I loved watching Steelers football back in the early 70s-mid 80s. It was just fun. The WVU Marching Band was invited to play at a Steelers game in the mid-70s and I was thrilled to be a part of that half-time show.