BREAKING: Pittsburgh Steelers Legend Dies At 72, Just Days Before NFL Was Set To Honor Him
Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers running back who was known for making a miraculous grab in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Oakland Raiders in 1972, has died. He was 72.
Harris was set to be honored by the Steelers just one day after the 50th anniversary of the play ... with Pittsburgh formally retiring his No. 32 on Saturday during its game against the Las Vegas Raiders... Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talked about Harris' catch on Tuesday when he addressed reporters.
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.
"The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today," Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement on Wednesday. "We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet. Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways.
"The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco's football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.
