NFL veteran Franco Harris, known for his impeccable reception, dies at age 72

Franco Harris, a Hall of Fame returnee for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was known for making a miraculous catch against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Divisional Playoffs in 1972. He turned 72.

Harris died just days before the Steelers were to retire his No. 32 jersey to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception” at Acrisure Stadium. When Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke to reporters on Tuesday, he talked about Harris’s capture.

“I was in Section 135 that day. I was eight months old. I think it’s funny. Surprisingly, I probably met 75,000 people who were there that day,” Tomlin said.

“It’s just one of those beautiful things in the history of our game. It’s humbling to be close to it, to work for this organization, to understand its impact on this organization, the career it spawned in Franco [Harris]a career in gold jacket, what it did for them that season in terms of changing the trajectory of that season, what it did for this franchise…”

Take a look at:

“There are a lot of things that make it the game it is and the most important game in the history of our game. It’s just an honor to be close to it. To know the man involved, to call Pittsburgh home, and so it’s great to be a part of it and witness it but at the same time we understand we have business we have contemporary business and the best way we can honor him and that’s by performing we are going to work very hard to prepare for it.”

The shocking news about Harris was first shared by WTAE. The cause of death was not immediately known. Dok, Harris’s son, told the Associated Press that his father died in the middle of the night.

Harris was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 draft. He played for Penn State. When he ran for 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. His skill on the Steelers’ offense under legendary coach Chuck Noll quickly made him an important part of the team’s dynasty.

We have lost an icon in Franco Harris. He embodied Pgh in his grace, humility and sense of pride. He was a champion on the field and an ambassador off it. Thank you Franco for setting the standard we all aspire to as a professional and as a person. RIP and condolences to Dana. pic.twitter.com/3GtCgOpeOW

— Bill Cowher (@CowherCBS) December 21, 2022

He ran for a total of 12,120 yards, and with the Steelers in the 1970s, he won four Super Bowls. But without his smart play against the Raiders in the 1972 playoffs, there might not have been a Dynasty.

The Steelers trailed 7–6 with 22 seconds left in the game. They had a 4th and 10th from their own 44-yard line. The Steelers won their division with an 11-3 record and they raced against the Raiders, who were 10-3-1 and eager to go to the Super Bowl.

Terry Bradshaw took the shot and threw it wide to John “Frenchy” Fuqua. The running back collided with Jack Tatum, a Raiders defensive back. Somehow, the ball got to Harris, who caught it and ran back for a touchdown and the team’s first-ever playoff win.

Woke up this morning to the terrible news that my friend Franco Harris passed away last night. One of the kindest, gentlest men I’ve ever known. He was a great person and a great teammate. Hall of Fame player, but so much more than that. A great role model for me! pic.twitter.com/OswJ82x7I1

— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) December 21, 2022

In 2020, the play was hailed as the best in the NFL’s 100-year history. “That piece really represents our ’70s teams,” Harris said at the time.

Harris played 13 years in the NFL, 12 of them with the Steelers and one with the Seattle Seahawks. He retired in 1984. He went to the Pro Bowl nine times and was named All-Pro once.

He was the most valuable player in Super Bowl IX, running 1,000 yards or more in eight of his seasons. Just follow us on Lee Daily for more news like this.