Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris dies at 72

[FakeNoose]

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/12/21/franco-harris-pittsburgh-steelers-immaculate-reception/stories/202207310149

Icon will have No. 32 jersey retired Saturday night

Former Steelers running back Franco Harris, author of the most famous play in NFL history and one of the greatest players in franchise history, has reportedly died at 72.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday morning that Harris’ son, Dok, confirmed the news with no cause of death given.

“The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “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.

“My heart and prayers go out to his wife, Dana, an equally incredible person, a special friend to the Hall and someone who cares so deeply for Franco’s Hall of Fame teammates.”

- more at link -

I'm in shock! This coming Saturday Dec. 24th is the 50th anniversary of the famous play called "the Immaculate Reception." Many festivities have been planned at the Pittsburgh stadium that day, including a special tribute to Franco Harris and the retiring of his uniform number 32. Now there will be much sadness involved because Franco won't be there to accept the tribute from the team and his many fans.

Franco Harris retired from football many years ago but he and his family chose to stay in Pittsburgh. He's been a beloved figure in our city and a leader in business and civic activities. Steeler fans across the nation will understand this ... Franco Harris is loved in Pittsburgh!

Rest in Peace Franco, and thanks for all the memories!

[badhair77]

1. Sad news,

especially for this Penn Stater.

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[brewens]

3. RIP. He was also an original Seattle Seahawk. n/t

[FakeNoose]

4. Yes just before he retired

I think he only played one or two seasons in Seattle. Before Franco was drafted to the Steelers, he was a star running back for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He spent almost his entire pro career with the Steelers.

[MissMillie]

5. I remembered his face, even before clicking on this thread

I do watch football, but I don't think anyone would consider me to be an ardent fan--not of any team.

But somehow I remembered his face.

RIP, Mr. Harris.

[OAITW r.2.0]

6. Classy guy.

Anyone following football back thrn remembers that play as one of the absolute greatest clutch catches in NFL history.

[Deep State Witch]

7. Steeler Nation

Is in mourning today.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. Ah, this one hits hard for a lot of us...

and I haven't watched football since the 90s. I was in middle school during the glory days of the Steel Curtain in the 70s. It was awesome being a Steelers fan then. I know we're all taken back to the Immaculate Reception, where we were, who we were with. Funny how those things stick with us. Franco was a giant to us.

A school friend of mine just released a book about the Immaculate Reception. Here's a link in case anyone is interested:


Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh

https://steelerssavedpittsburgh.com/

[Greybnk48]

9. I saw him play the Packers at Lambeau in the 70's!

We got to Lambeau really early and were watching their warm-up practice. A ball flew into the stands just several rows down from us and a couple of college guys got it. Franco ran over and asked them to please throw it to him. Big smile on his face. The guys really wanted to keep the ball, but reluctantly threw it back to Franco when he promised to give it to them after the practice.

About ten minutes later the warm-up ended and everyone started running back in to the locker rooms. The two guys down from us started yelling when we saw Franco running in too. As they were going in Franco must have heard the shouts (we joined in too). He stopped abruptly, looked around for an equipment guy, got a football, ran all the way over to our side of the stadium (big smile), and personally tossed a ball to the two young guys (Packer fans I might add).
I was a Franco Harris fan from that moment on.

[FakeNoose]

10. Cool story!

This doesn't surprise me, because he has always been a class act. He's been well-loved in Pittsburgh.

RIP Franco Harris, the greatest of all the great Steelers of the 1970's.

[blue neen]

11. This is heartbreaking. Right before the Steelers were going to honor him.

What a shock!

[debm55]

12. I agree blue neen. I have been waiting for this event for some time. Because I went to Penn State he

was my favorite. Do you remember when reporters always asked him if he caugth the ball outright or on a bounce or a down ball picked up. Franco would get this smile on his face and not answer. He will be missed in Pittsburgh. I followed the Steelers during the glory days of the 70's when they had all the fanatics there with their clubs and banners.

[blue neen]

13. The golden days of the 70's Steelers.

It was so much fun!!!

[debm55]

14. The fans in the seats--we will never see that again

Franco was a lifelong Democrat. He stayed in Pittsburgh to raise his family, He was well known for his charitable acts of kindness. KDKA Radio is talking with Pittsburghers who had contact with Franco--all favorable.

[Jilly_in_VA]

15. Makes me sad

I am a Packer backer, but I loved Franco and was always a secret part of "Franco's Italian Army". I used to think he looked a lot like Hannibal might have looked.

RIP, Franco!

[redstatebluegirl]

16. What a gentle man.

I saw him in O'Hare Airport while waiting for a plane. I had a young relative with me and I told him that was Mr. Franco Harris a great football player. He overheard me and came back to us, he shook my hand and thanked me for the kind words. My young nephew got wide eyed as Franco went to his knees to be on the same level with him. Franco asked if he liked school, my nephew said he did, he told him to study hard because school can take you anywhere you want to go. He thanked me again and left. I forgot to ask for an autograph but the memory is forever.

This man was not just a gentleman he was a gentle MAN. Rest in peace Mr. Harris.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

17. May he rest in peace