On Tuesday December 19, 2022, Steelers legend Franco Harris died at the age of 72 in his home in Sewickley, PA.
Franco Harris was a football legend in the NFL making one of the most incredible plays of all time, the Immaculate Reception. He also racked up 13 seasons of play in the NFL making the Pro Bowl nine times and winning the Super Bowl four times. He also won the Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl IX against the Minnesota Vikings. He was an icon to many, many people with his great work on and off the field. He did philanthropic work in many Pittsburgh-Area charities and went to basically every meet and greets and gatherings in the community to help the people living there. In a quote by Marty Hartman, “He probably did more for Pittsburgh after he finished playing for 30 years than he did playing. He was so philanthropic, and if anyone needed him for a fundraiser or something he would show up. He was a gentleman and he was so giving of all of his time.
Franco Harris was born on March 7, 1950 in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He went to Rancocas Valley regional high school in New Jersey and continued at Penn State University. He went to Penn State to study Hotel and Restaurant Management, but shined on the football field racking up 2002 total yards with 24 touchdowns and played in three major bowl games in his three year career at Penn State.
He was drafted at the age of 22 as the 13th overall pick in the 1st round of the NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his rookie year in the divisional round of the playoff against the Oakland Raiders, Terry Bradshaw dropped back to pass and delivered a pass to John “Frency” Fuqua which bounced off of him and looked like it was going to be an incomplete pass, but Franco Harris jumped in and caught the ball inches away from the ground running it back for the touchdown.
This was one of the most iconic moments in NFL history. He won four Super Bowls with the Steelers and won the Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl IX after rushing for 158 yards compared to the entire 17 yards the Vikings had. He also made nine Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro. In his career he rushed for 12,120 yards and scored 91 touchdowns. He also was Walter Payton Man Of The Year in 1976. He was also a part of the All-Time HOF 1970s team.
Franco Harris was one of the most well known and respected football players of all time.
He did so much for his team and the Pittsburgh-Area community. Franco Harris was an idol to many, and many fans, non-fans, and regular people mourned his death and shared stories of his life. He did so much for all.