{"id":2271,"date":"2022-12-21T18:02:25","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T18:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/?p=2271"},"modified":"2022-12-21T18:02:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T18:02:25","slug":"honoring-the-life-of-nfl-legend-franco-harris-best-known-for-the-immaculate-reception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/foreverinourhearts\/2022\/12\/honoring-the-life-of-nfl-legend-franco-harris-best-known-for-the-immaculate-reception.html","title":{"rendered":"Honoring the Life of NFL Legend Franco Harris, Best Known for the “Immaculate Reception”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"franco<\/a>
Governor Tom Harris\/Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers running back known for making a miraculous grab in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against the\u00a0Oakland Raiders\u00a0in 1972, has died. He was 72.<\/p>\n

Harris\u2019s death came days before the\u00a0Steelers were set\u00a0to retire his No. 32 jersey and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the \u201cImmaculate Reception\u201d at Acrisure Stadium. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin discussed Harris\u2019 catch recently when he addressed reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in Section 135 that day. I was eight months old. I think it\u2019s funny. Surprisingly, I\u2019ve probably met 75,000 people that were there that day,\u201d Tomlin said. \u201cIt\u2019s just one of those beautiful things in the history of our game. It\u2019s humbling to be in close proximity to it, to work for this organization, to understand its impact on this organization, the career it spawned in Franco [Harris], a gold-jacket career, what it did for them that season in terms of changing the trajectory of that season, what it\u2019s done for this franchise \u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many things that make it the play that it is and the most significant play in the history of our game. It\u2019s just an honor to be in proximity to it. To know the man involved, to call Pittsburgh home, and so it\u2019s awesome to be a part of and to witness. But at the same time, we understand that we\u2019ve got business and a present-day business, and the best way we can honor him is by performing. We\u2019re going to work extremely hard to prepare ourselves leading up to it.\u201d WTAE first reported the shocking news about Harris. The cause of death was not immediately known. Harris\u2019s son Dok told the Associated Press his father died overnight.<\/p>\n

Harris was a first-round pick of the Steelers in the 1972 draft out of Penn State. He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year when he rushed for 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. His prowess in the Steelers\u2019 offense under legendary coach Chuck Noll quickly made him a significant piece of the franchise\u2019s dynasty.<\/p>\n

He ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in the 1970s. However, there may not have been a dynasty without his heads-up play against the Raiders in the 1972 playoff game. The Steelers were trailing 7-6 and facing a 4th-and-10 from their 44-yard line with 22 seconds remaining. Pittsburgh had won the division with an 11-3 record and raced a Raiders team that was 10-3-1 and hungry for a run to the Super Bowl.<\/p>\n