Franco Harris, a running back in the Hall of Fame whose quick thinking produced “The Immaculate Reception,” regarded as the most famous play in NFL history, has passed away. He was 72.
Dok Harris, Harris’ son, told The Associated Press that his father died overnight. The reason for death was not disclosed.
Tamara Tunie who can’t hide her sadness wrote:
“My heart is broken for Pittsburgh and STEELER NATION. FRANCO WAS THE BEST.
I met Franco as a teen when he made his singing debut at the legendary HOLIDAY HOUSE in Monroeville. My older sister had a HUGE crush on Franco, so we had to go! After the show, we waited around for an autograph.
He was gracious and kind. A few years later, another sister married former Steeler, Greg Hawthorne, and became friendly with Franco’s wife Dana. So we’d go to the games and sit with the Steeler Wives, and after head to the locker room. Franco was always gracious and kind…”
Two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that gave the Steelers the boost they needed to become one of the NFL’s finest teams, and three days before Pittsburgh was set to honor him by retiring his No. 32 at a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he passed away.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, Harris ran for 12,120 yards and earned four Super Bowl rings. This dynasty started in earnest when Harris made the decision to continue running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.
With 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Pittsburgh down 7-6 on a fourth-and-10 from their own 40-yard line, Bradshaw drifted back and hit running back French Fuqua with a long pass. As a result of the collision between Fuqua and Jack Tatum, an Oakland defensive back, the ball careened back toward midfield in Harris’ direction.
