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Wikipedia

Franco Harris

November 23, 2023

Franco Harris (March 7, 1950 – December 20, 2022) was an American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[1] He played college football at Penn State University and was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft. Harris spent his first 12 seasons with Pittsburgh, earning nine Pro Bowl selections, and was a member of the Seattle Seahawks in his last.

Franco Harris
Harris in October 2022
No. 32, 34
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1950-03-07)March 7, 1950
Fort Dix, New Jersey, U.S.
Died:December 20, 2022(2022-12-20) (aged 72)
Sewickley, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Rancocas Valley Regional
(Mount Holly, New Jersey)
College:Penn State (1968–1971)
NFL Draft:1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:12,120
Yards per carry:4.1
Rushing touchdowns:91
Receptions:307
Receiving yards:2,287
Receiving touchdowns:9
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame

A four-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers, Harris was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Super Bowl IX. He also scored the "Immaculate Reception" touchdown, one of professional football's most famous plays, which gave the Steelers their first playoff win. Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Early life and education edit

Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey. His father, Cad Harris, a Black soldier, served in World War II and was stationed in Italy during the war. His mother, Gina Parenti Harris, was a native Italian and became a "war bride", who moved with her husband when he returned to the United States after the end of the war.[2][3]

Harris graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey, in 1968.[4] He then attended Penn State University, where he played on the Nittany Lions football team. Although he was primarily a blocker for the running back during his first year at Penn State, he amassed a career total of 2,002 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns and averaged over 5 yards per carry, while also catching 28 passes for 352 yards and another touchdown. He led the team in scoring in 1970.[5]

Harris's statistics during his final three seasons at Penn State are as follows:

  • 1969: 115 carries for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns; 12 catches for 189 yards.[6]
  • 1970: 142 carries for 675 yards and 8 touchdowns; 6 catches for 66 yards.[6]
  • 1971: 123 carries for 684 yards and 6 touchdowns; 10 catches for 97 yards and 1 touchdown.[6]

Professional career edit

Harris was selected 13th overall in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers despite assistant personnel director Bill Nunn and head coach Chuck Noll preferring Robert Newhouse.[7][8] In his first season with the Steelers (1972), Harris was named the NFL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. In that season he gained 1,055 yards on 188 carries, with a 5.6 yards per carry average. He also rushed for 10 touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass.[9] He was popular with Pittsburgh's large Italian-American population: his fans, including "Brigadier General" Frank Sinatra, dubbed themselves "Franco's Italian Army" and wore army helmets with his number on them.[10]

During his rookie season, Harris was a key player in one of professional football's most famous plays, dubbed the "Immaculate Reception" by Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope.[11] In the first round of the playoffs, the Oakland Raiders were leading the Steelers 7–6 with 22 seconds to play when a Terry Bradshaw pass was deflected away from intended receiver John "Frenchy" Fuqua as defender Jack Tatum arrived to tackle him. Harris snatched the ball just before it hit the ground and ran it into the endzone, resulting in the Steelers' first playoff win.[12][13]

Harris was chosen for nine consecutive Pro Bowls (1972–1980), and was All-Pro in 1977.[14] Harris rushed for more than 1,000 yards in eight seasons, breaking a record set by Jim Brown.[15] The running back tandem of Harris and Rocky Bleier combined with a strong defense to win four Super Bowls following the 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979 seasons. On January 12, 1975, he was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl IX; in that game he rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries for a 16–6 win over the Minnesota Vikings.[16] Harris was the first African American as well as the first Italian-American to be named Super Bowl MVP.[17] Harris was a major contributor for the Steelers in all of their first four Super Bowl wins. His Super Bowl career totals of 101 carries for 354 yards are records and his four career rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-most in Super Bowl history.[18]

Harris claimed that he extended his career and thus his contribution to the team's objectives (including four Super Bowl victories) by avoiding unnecessary contact.[19]

 
Harris rushing the ball for the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV

With the retirement of O. J. Simpson after the 1979 season,[20] Harris became the career rushing leader among active players.[21] Following the 1983 season, Harris and Walter Payton were both closing in on Jim Brown's NFL rushing record, and Harris asked the Rooney family for a pay raise. Believing that Harris was on the downside of his career, they refused and Harris threatened to hold out. The Steelers released him during training camp in 1984 and he then signed with the Seattle Seahawks during the 1984 season.[22] He played just eight games with the team, gaining only 170 yards before retiring (192 yards short of Jim Brown's record).[23]

In his 13 professional seasons, Harris gained 12,120 yards (then 3rd all-time)[24] on 2,949 carries, a 4.1 yards per carry average, and scored 91 rushing touchdowns (then also 3rd).[25] He caught 307 passes for 2,287 yards, a 7.4 yards per reception average, and nine receiving touchdowns. Harris's 12,120 career rushing yards rank him 12th all time in the NFL, while his 91 career rushing touchdowns rank him 10th all time tied with Jerome Bettis.[26]


Post-football edit

 
Harris in 2009

In 1990, Harris and his former Penn State teammate Lydell Mitchell founded Super Bakery (renamed RSuper Foods in 2006), which produced nutrition-oriented food for schoolchildren.[27] Harris and Mitchell also partnered in 1996 to rescue[28] the Parks Sausage Company in Baltimore, the first African-American–owned business to go public in the U.S.[29]

In 2007, Harris was chosen by Forest City Enterprises to lead a charitable foundation they created, related to the development of a casino for downtown Pittsburgh that would be managed by Harrah's.[30][better source needed]

In August 2008, Harris attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention, in Denver, Colorado, as part of the Pennsylvania delegation.[31] Harris voted for Barack Obama on December 15, 2008, as one of Pennsylvania's 21 Democratic presidential electors.[32][33]

In January 2011, Harris became co-owner of the Pittsburgh Passion.[34] Also in 2011, Harris briefly worked with The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, before the casino suspended the relationship after his comments in support of Joe Paterno, his coach while at Penn State, during the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.[35]

In 2019, Harris starred in the NFL's 100th Anniversary commercial recreating the Immaculate Reception with Terry Bradshaw.[36]

Personal life edit

Harris was married to Dana Dokmanovich.[37] They had one son together: Franco "Dok" Harris, who ran as a third-party candidate in the 2009 Pittsburgh mayoral election and finished in second place with 25% of the vote.[38] Franco’s brother, Pete Harris, played football for Penn State and died of a heart attack on August 15, 2006, at age 49.[39]

Harris served as part of the advisory board of Penn State's Center for Food Innovation, and in the fall of 2009 was named a Conti Professor by Penn State's School of Hospitality Management.[40] He was involved in, and provided funding to, Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship, a group aimed at ousting the members of Penn State's board of trustees.[41]

Death and tributes edit

"We are truly heartbroken. The reality of losing such a magnificent individual has not yet settled in. We have shared Franco with so many people throughout our lives and in so many ways. Beyond his incredible career in the NFL Franco represents what is best in humanity: kindness, charity, decency, and humility. He led by example on and off the field with the goal of making this a better world for us all. We know he has touched so many of you and we mourn with you. We will remain steadfast in living and achieving the world that he wanted to build."

—Statement from Franco Harris's family following his death[42]

Harris died in his sleep at his home in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, on December 20, 2022, at age 72,[43][37] three days before the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception".[44] Harris' death was considered sudden, as he had been active on social media just days before his death and had spoken to visitors at the Heinz History Center the day before his death including a live interview with KDKA-TV from the Heinz History Center. He was set to attend a ceremony at halftime during a Steelers game against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 24, 2022, to retire his jersey number.[45] Hours before his death, Harris recorded an interview with Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward for his podcast in what would be his last public interview, during which he ironically commented about how he was "feeling good" and happy to have made it to the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception".[46] His cause of death was later ruled as natural causes.[47]

Immediately after his death, many gave public tributes. Terry Bradshaw, who had found out about Harris's death from his wife after seeing a text message from Mel Blount, had just seen Harris two weeks prior, filming material related to the Immaculate Reception's anniversary and was in a "state of shock". Bradshaw praised Harris, saying that "as a teammate, he was just the best."[48] Steelers president Art Rooney II, who like the rest of the Rooney family was close to Harris, said through a statement by the team that "From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field. He never stopped giving back in so many ways. He touched so many, and he was loved by so many."[49] In addition to Penn State itself, two Penn State alumni with connections to the Steelers—Harris's former teammate Jack Ham and current Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth—also paid their respects to Harris. Other tributes would later come out by current and former Steelers as well as other Pittsburgh celebrities such as Joe Greene,[49] Jerome Bettis, Najee Harris, Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Tony Dungy, T. J. Watt, Trai Essex, Arthur Moats, James Conner, current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Charlie Batch, Kurt Angle, Mark Madden, Tony Dorsett, Darrelle Revis, Billy Gardell, and Joe Manganiello; the Penguins and Pirates also paid tribute.[50] The December 27, 2022 episode of Pittsburgh Dad covering the aforementioned Steelers-Raiders game (a 13-10 Steelers win) featured a tribute to Harris from the titular character.[51]

Despite only playing briefly with the Seahawks, the team also acknowledged Harris's passing; other tributes from the NFL came from the Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Shannon Sharpe, Eric Dickerson, O. J. Simpson, Barry Sanders, Larry Csonka, Jack Youngblood, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Longtime ESPN personality Chris Berman paid tribute to Harris.[52] Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama also paid tribute to Harris.[53][54] U.S. Senator-elect John Fetterman released a statement mourning Harris, who supported his 2022 candidacy.[55][56]

The Steelers held a public viewing for Harris at Acrisure Stadium on December 27, 2022 prior to the family holding a private funeral service.[57]

Honors edit

 
Statue of Harris making the "Immaculate Reception" at Pittsburgh International Airport.

In 1984, Harris received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[58] In 1999, he was ranked number 83 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. In 2006, The Heinz History Center, home of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, installed a life-size figure of Harris in the grand concourse of Pittsburgh International Airport, which recreates the "Immaculate Reception". He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011.[59] On December 24, 2022, the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception", Harris became the third Steeler to have his number (32) retired;[60][61] the first two were Ernie Stautner (70) and Joe Greene (75).[62]

In popular culture edit

In John Grisham's 2008 novel Playing For Pizza, the fullback of the Parma Panthers is nicknamed Franco as a tribute to his hero, Franco Harris, to whom he refers as the "greatest Italian football player".[63] A fictional version of Harris is depicted in the season 3 premiere episode of This Is Us.[64]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The 10 Greatest NFL Fullbacks in History", Sports Cheat Sheet, December 20, 2015, from the original on September 27, 2018, retrieved September 27, 2018
  2. ^ "Franco Harris: still goal-bound 'He has always known where he wanted to go'" April 23, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, by Sean Somerville, Baltimore Sun, September 22, 1996
  3. ^ "Black and Gold Soul with Italian Legs" October 19, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Sports Illustrated, December 11, 1972.
  4. ^ The Ultimate New Jersey High School Yearbook. 1998.
  5. ^ DiSanto, Matt (February 2, 2020). "Franco Harris' 'Immaculate Reception' Voted Greatest Moment in NFL History". Onward State.
  6. ^ a b c "Franco Harris College Stats". College Football @ Sports-Reference.com. from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Franco Harris, Class of 1990 – Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  8. ^ Denlinger, Ken. "Steelers Forged By Draft Masters," The Washington Post, Friday, January 18, 1980. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  9. ^ "Franco Harris Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  10. ^ Gayla, Marella (June 27, 2018). "Remembering Al Vento and Franco's Italian Army". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. from the original on January 9, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  11. ^ Cope, Myron (December 21, 1997). "Backtalk; An Immaculate Explanation of the Truth". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  12. ^ . profootballhof.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  13. ^ "'Immaculate Reception' Still Lifts a Region's Spirits 50 Years Later". NECN. Associated Press. December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  14. ^ Robinson, Sam (December 21, 2022). "Hall Of Fame RB Franco Harris Dies at 72". Pro Football Rumors.
  15. ^ "Harris gets his 1,000 years as Cleveland thousands boo". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 19, 1983. p. 15. Retrieved December 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ De La Fuente, Homero (December 21, 2022). "Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris, known for 'Immaculate Reception,' dead at age 72". CNN.
  17. ^ "Super Bowl, NFL Black History Firsts". ABC News.
  18. ^ "Super Bowl Week Conjures Up Bright Moments". WGBO. February 1, 2017.
  19. ^ . June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on June 27, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  20. ^ Goodman, Mark (January 13, 1980). "A Class Act from the Start, O.J. Simpson Retires in Style". The Central New Jersey Home News. p. 173 – via Newspapers.com.  
  21. ^ Stoneking, Dan (October 3, 1980). "Here comes Franco!". The Minneapolis Star. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.  
  22. ^ "Franco Harris ended career with Seahawks". The Boston Globe. from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  23. ^ Smith, Yaneek (January 24, 2011). "10 NFL Greats We Wish Had Played for Just One Team". Bleacher Report.
  24. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 1984 - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  25. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1984 - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com. from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  26. ^ NFL Rushing Leaders, archived from the original on August 10, 2009, retrieved October 12, 2009
  27. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  28. ^ "Philadelphia company buys Parks Sausage Co". Observer-Reporter. February 4, 1999. from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2018 – via Google News.
  29. ^ "CEO welcomes a challenge". Reading Eagle. June 14, 1992. from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2018 – via Google News.
  30. ^ . November 1, 2007. Archived from the original on November 1, 2007.
  31. ^ "AP News Wire, Associated Press News". Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "The Associated Press: It's official: Barack Obama elected 44th president". from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  33. ^ "AP/Inquirer: Obama wins ... in a formality". Philadelphia Daily News. from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  34. ^ . March 29, 2013. Archived from the original on March 29, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  35. ^ Schilken, Chuck, "Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Paterno"[dead link], Los Angeles Times, November 16, 2011, 9:32 am. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  36. ^ Carroll, Charlotte. "Watch: NFL's 100th anniversary Super Bowl ad". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Sandomir, Richard; Victor, Daniel (December 21, 2022). "Franco Harris, Steeler Who Caught 'Immaculate Reception,' Dies at 72". The New York Times. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  38. ^ , Allegheny County Board of Elections, November 3, 2009, archived from the original on November 8, 2009, retrieved November 4, 2009
  39. ^ . Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2007.
  40. ^ "Conti Symposium to Focus on Healthy, Cost-Effective Food". hhdev.psu.edu. October 7, 2009. from the original on August 14, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  41. ^ 200 flock to King of Prussia in support of Paterno, Philadelphia Daily News
  42. ^ Damp, Patrick (December 25, 2022). "Pittsburgh Sports Year In Review: Looking back on the biggest sports stories of 2022". CBS Pittsburgh. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  43. ^ "Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72". WTAE. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  44. ^ Graves, Will (December 21, 2022). "Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72". Associated Press News. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  45. ^ Rutter, Joe (December 21, 2022). "Steelers great Franco Harris dies at age 72". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  46. ^ Koroza, Alex (December 22, 2022). "In One of His Final Interviews, Franco Harris Discussed His Excitement for Saturday's Ceremony". Steelers Depot. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  47. ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris passes away at 72". The Economic Times. December 21, 2022.
  48. ^ Guggenheimer, Paul (December 21, 2022). "Terry Bradshaw in 'state of shock' over Franco Harris' death". Trib Live. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  49. ^ a b Labrlola, Bob (December 23, 2022). "Hall of Fame RB Franco Harris, 72". Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via steelers.com.
  50. ^ Varley, Teresa (December 23, 2022). "Reacting to the loss of a Steelers icon". Pittsburgh Steelers. Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via steelers.com.
  51. ^ YouTube[dead link]
  52. ^ "Berman: Can't think of Steelers without thinking of Franco Harris – ESPN Video". December 21, 2022.
  53. ^ "Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Franco Harris" (Press release). The White House. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  54. ^ "Joe Biden, Barack Obama Mourn Franco Harris' Death, 'An Extraordinary Man'". TMZ. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  55. ^ "Pittsburghers mourn the loss of Franco Harris, as stories of his legend pour in". 90.5 WESA. December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  56. ^ "Franco", John Fetterman on YouTube, retrieved December 23, 2022
  57. ^ "Public viewing for Franco Harris held at Acrisure Stadium". December 28, 2022.
  58. ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement. from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  59. ^ "Franco Harris to be inducted into NJ Hall of Fame – Philly". Philadelphia Daily News. May 26, 2011. from the original on September 22, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  60. ^ "Steelers retire Franco Harris' No. 32 during emotional halftime ceremony days after Hall of Famer's death". NFL.com. December 24, 2022.
  61. ^ "Steelers legend Franco Harris dead at 72". December 21, 2022.
  62. ^ Robinson, Alan. "Joe Greene only 2nd player in Steelers history to get number retired". TribLIVE.com. from the original on November 13, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  63. ^ "Bio – Franco Harris". onlc.com.
  64. ^ Keegan, Kayla (September 26, 2018). "Here's What Franco Harris Might Have to Do With 'This Is Us'". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved December 21, 2022.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Franco Harris.

November 23, 2023
franco, harris, march, 1950, december, 2022, american, football, running, back, played, national, football, league, seasons, primarily, with, pittsburgh, steelers, played, college, football, penn, state, university, selected, steelers, first, round, 1972, draf. Franco Harris March 7 1950 December 20 2022 was an American football running back who played in the National Football League NFL for 13 seasons primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers 1 He played college football at Penn State University and was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft Harris spent his first 12 seasons with Pittsburgh earning nine Pro Bowl selections and was a member of the Seattle Seahawks in his last Franco HarrisHarris in October 2022No 32 34Position Running backPersonal informationBorn 1950 03 07 March 7 1950Fort Dix New Jersey U S Died December 20 2022 2022 12 20 aged 72 Sewickley Pennsylvania U S Height 6 ft 2 in 1 88 m Weight 230 lb 104 kg Career informationHigh school Rancocas Valley Regional Mount Holly New Jersey College Penn State 1968 1971 NFL Draft 1972 Round 1 Pick 13Career historyPittsburgh Steelers 1972 1983 Seattle Seahawks 1984 Career highlights and awards4 Super Bowl champion IX X XIII XIV Super Bowl MVP IX NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 1972 NFL Man of the Year 1976 First team All Pro 1977 2 Second team All Pro 1972 1975 9 Pro Bowl 1972 1980 NFL rushing touchdowns leader 1976 NFL 1970s All Decade Team Pittsburgh Steelers All Time Team Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Pittsburgh Steelers No 32 retired Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of FameCareer NFL statisticsRushing yards 12 120Yards per carry 4 1Rushing touchdowns 91Receptions 307Receiving yards 2 287Receiving touchdowns 9Player stats at NFL com PFRPro Football Hall of FameA four time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers Harris was the Most Valuable Player MVP of Super Bowl IX He also scored the Immaculate Reception touchdown one of professional football s most famous plays which gave the Steelers their first playoff win Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Professional career 3 Post football 4 Personal life 5 Death and tributes 6 Honors 7 In popular culture 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksEarly life and education editHarris was born in Fort Dix New Jersey His father Cad Harris a Black soldier served in World War II and was stationed in Italy during the war His mother Gina Parenti Harris was a native Italian and became a war bride who moved with her husband when he returned to the United States after the end of the war 2 3 Harris graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly Township New Jersey in 1968 4 He then attended Penn State University where he played on the Nittany Lions football team Although he was primarily a blocker for the running back during his first year at Penn State he amassed a career total of 2 002 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns and averaged over 5 yards per carry while also catching 28 passes for 352 yards and another touchdown He led the team in scoring in 1970 5 Harris s statistics during his final three seasons at Penn State are as follows 1969 115 carries for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns 12 catches for 189 yards 6 1970 142 carries for 675 yards and 8 touchdowns 6 catches for 66 yards 6 1971 123 carries for 684 yards and 6 touchdowns 10 catches for 97 yards and 1 touchdown 6 Professional career editHarris was selected 13th overall in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers despite assistant personnel director Bill Nunn and head coach Chuck Noll preferring Robert Newhouse 7 8 In his first season with the Steelers 1972 Harris was named the NFL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press In that season he gained 1 055 yards on 188 carries with a 5 6 yards per carry average He also rushed for 10 touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass 9 He was popular with Pittsburgh s large Italian American population his fans including Brigadier General Frank Sinatra dubbed themselves Franco s Italian Army and wore army helmets with his number on them 10 During his rookie season Harris was a key player in one of professional football s most famous plays dubbed the Immaculate Reception by Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope 11 In the first round of the playoffs the Oakland Raiders were leading the Steelers 7 6 with 22 seconds to play when a Terry Bradshaw pass was deflected away from intended receiver John Frenchy Fuqua as defender Jack Tatum arrived to tackle him Harris snatched the ball just before it hit the ground and ran it into the endzone resulting in the Steelers first playoff win 12 13 Harris was chosen for nine consecutive Pro Bowls 1972 1980 and was All Pro in 1977 14 Harris rushed for more than 1 000 yards in eight seasons breaking a record set by Jim Brown 15 The running back tandem of Harris and Rocky Bleier combined with a strong defense to win four Super Bowls following the 1974 1975 1978 and 1979 seasons On January 12 1975 he was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl IX in that game he rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries for a 16 6 win over the Minnesota Vikings 16 Harris was the first African American as well as the first Italian American to be named Super Bowl MVP 17 Harris was a major contributor for the Steelers in all of their first four Super Bowl wins His Super Bowl career totals of 101 carries for 354 yards are records and his four career rushing touchdowns are tied for the second most in Super Bowl history 18 Harris claimed that he extended his career and thus his contribution to the team s objectives including four Super Bowl victories by avoiding unnecessary contact 19 nbsp Harris rushing the ball for the Steelers in Super Bowl XIVWith the retirement of O J Simpson after the 1979 season 20 Harris became the career rushing leader among active players 21 Following the 1983 season Harris and Walter Payton were both closing in on Jim Brown s NFL rushing record and Harris asked the Rooney family for a pay raise Believing that Harris was on the downside of his career they refused and Harris threatened to hold out The Steelers released him during training camp in 1984 and he then signed with the Seattle Seahawks during the 1984 season 22 He played just eight games with the team gaining only 170 yards before retiring 192 yards short of Jim Brown s record 23 In his 13 professional seasons Harris gained 12 120 yards then 3rd all time 24 on 2 949 carries a 4 1 yards per carry average and scored 91 rushing touchdowns then also 3rd 25 He caught 307 passes for 2 287 yards a 7 4 yards per reception average and nine receiving touchdowns Harris s 12 120 career rushing yards rank him 12th all time in the NFL while his 91 career rushing touchdowns rank him 10th all time tied with Jerome Bettis 26 Post football edit nbsp Harris in 2009In 1990 Harris and his former Penn State teammate Lydell Mitchell founded Super Bakery renamed RSuper Foods in 2006 which produced nutrition oriented food for schoolchildren 27 Harris and Mitchell also partnered in 1996 to rescue 28 the Parks Sausage Company in Baltimore the first African American owned business to go public in the U S 29 In 2007 Harris was chosen by Forest City Enterprises to lead a charitable foundation they created related to the development of a casino for downtown Pittsburgh that would be managed by Harrah s 30 better source needed In August 2008 Harris attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver Colorado as part of the Pennsylvania delegation 31 Harris voted for Barack Obama on December 15 2008 as one of Pennsylvania s 21 Democratic presidential electors 32 33 In January 2011 Harris became co owner of the Pittsburgh Passion 34 Also in 2011 Harris briefly worked with The Meadows Racetrack and Casino before the casino suspended the relationship after his comments in support of Joe Paterno his coach while at Penn State during the Penn State child sex abuse scandal 35 In 2019 Harris starred in the NFL s 100th Anniversary commercial recreating the Immaculate Reception with Terry Bradshaw 36 Personal life editHarris was married to Dana Dokmanovich 37 They had one son together Franco Dok Harris who ran as a third party candidate in the 2009 Pittsburgh mayoral election and finished in second place with 25 of the vote 38 Franco s brother Pete Harris played football for Penn State and died of a heart attack on August 15 2006 at age 49 39 Harris served as part of the advisory board of Penn State s Center for Food Innovation and in the fall of 2009 was named a Conti Professor by Penn State s School of Hospitality Management 40 He was involved in and provided funding to Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship a group aimed at ousting the members of Penn State s board of trustees 41 Death and tributes edit We are truly heartbroken The reality of losing such a magnificent individual has not yet settled in We have shared Franco with so many people throughout our lives and in so many ways Beyond his incredible career in the NFL Franco represents what is best in humanity kindness charity decency and humility He led by example on and off the field with the goal of making this a better world for us all We know he has touched so many of you and we mourn with you We will remain steadfast in living and achieving the world that he wanted to build Statement from Franco Harris s family following his death 42 Harris died in his sleep at his home in Sewickley Pennsylvania on December 20 2022 at age 72 43 37 three days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception 44 Harris death was considered sudden as he had been active on social media just days before his death and had spoken to visitors at the Heinz History Center the day before his death including a live interview with KDKA TV from the Heinz History Center He was set to attend a ceremony at halftime during a Steelers game against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 24 2022 to retire his jersey number 45 Hours before his death Harris recorded an interview with Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward for his podcast in what would be his last public interview during which he ironically commented about how he was feeling good and happy to have made it to the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception 46 His cause of death was later ruled as natural causes 47 Immediately after his death many gave public tributes Terry Bradshaw who had found out about Harris s death from his wife after seeing a text message from Mel Blount had just seen Harris two weeks prior filming material related to the Immaculate Reception s anniversary and was in a state of shock Bradshaw praised Harris saying that as a teammate he was just the best 48 Steelers president Art Rooney II who like the rest of the Rooney family was close to Harris said through a statement by the team that From his rookie season which included the Immaculate Reception through the next 50 years Franco brought joy to people on and off the field He never stopped giving back in so many ways He touched so many and he was loved by so many 49 In addition to Penn State itself two Penn State alumni with connections to the Steelers Harris s former teammate Jack Ham and current Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth also paid their respects to Harris Other tributes would later come out by current and former Steelers as well as other Pittsburgh celebrities such as Joe Greene 49 Jerome Bettis Najee Harris Ben Roethlisberger Hines Ward Tony Dungy T J Watt Trai Essex Arthur Moats James Conner current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin Charlie Batch Kurt Angle Mark Madden Tony Dorsett Darrelle Revis Billy Gardell and Joe Manganiello the Penguins and Pirates also paid tribute 50 The December 27 2022 episode of Pittsburgh Dad covering the aforementioned Steelers Raiders game a 13 10 Steelers win featured a tribute to Harris from the titular character 51 Despite only playing briefly with the Seahawks the team also acknowledged Harris s passing other tributes from the NFL came from the Raiders Baltimore Ravens Emmitt Smith Michael Irvin Shannon Sharpe Eric Dickerson O J Simpson Barry Sanders Larry Csonka Jack Youngblood and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Longtime ESPN personality Chris Berman paid tribute to Harris 52 Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama also paid tribute to Harris 53 54 U S Senator elect John Fetterman released a statement mourning Harris who supported his 2022 candidacy 55 56 The Steelers held a public viewing for Harris at Acrisure Stadium on December 27 2022 prior to the family holding a private funeral service 57 Honors edit nbsp Statue of Harris making the Immaculate Reception at Pittsburgh International Airport In 1984 Harris received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement 58 In 1999 he was ranked number 83 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Football Players In 2006 The Heinz History Center home of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum installed a life size figure of Harris in the grand concourse of Pittsburgh International Airport which recreates the Immaculate Reception He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011 59 On December 24 2022 the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception Harris became the third Steeler to have his number 32 retired 60 61 the first two were Ernie Stautner 70 and Joe Greene 75 62 In popular culture editIn John Grisham s 2008 novel Playing For Pizza the fullback of the Parma Panthers is nicknamed Franco as a tribute to his hero Franco Harris to whom he refers as the greatest Italian football player 63 A fictional version of Harris is depicted in the season 3 premiere episode of This Is Us 64 See also editGlossary of American footballReferences edit The 10 Greatest NFL Fullbacks in History Sports Cheat Sheet December 20 2015 archived from the original on September 27 2018 retrieved September 27 2018 Franco Harris still goal bound He has always known where he wanted to go Archived April 23 2021 at the Wayback Machine by Sean Somerville Baltimore Sun September 22 1996 Black and Gold Soul with Italian Legs Archived October 19 2020 at the Wayback Machine Sports Illustrated December 11 1972 The Ultimate New Jersey High School Yearbook 1998 DiSanto Matt February 2 2020 Franco Harris Immaculate Reception Voted Greatest Moment in NFL History Onward State a b c Franco Harris College Stats College Football Sports Reference com Archived from the original on January 6 2015 Retrieved May 16 2015 Franco Harris Class of 1990 Pro Football Hall of Fame Retrieved December 22 2022 Denlinger Ken Steelers Forged By Draft Masters The Washington Post Friday January 18 1980 Retrieved December 22 2022 Franco Harris Stats Pro Football Reference Retrieved December 22 2022 Gayla Marella June 27 2018 Remembering Al Vento and Franco s Italian Army Pittsburgh Post Gazette Archived from the original on January 9 2019 Retrieved November 1 2018 Cope Myron December 21 1997 Backtalk An Immaculate Explanation of the Truth The New York Times Retrieved December 22 2022 Football History Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site profootballhof com Archived from the original on December 27 2008 Retrieved March 25 2018 Immaculate Reception Still Lifts a Region s Spirits 50 Years Later NECN Associated Press December 19 2022 Retrieved December 22 2022 Robinson Sam December 21 2022 Hall Of Fame RB Franco Harris Dies at 72 Pro Football Rumors Harris gets his 1 000 years as Cleveland thousands boo Pittsburgh Post Gazette December 19 1983 p 15 Retrieved December 22 2022 via Newspapers com De La Fuente Homero December 21 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris known for Immaculate Reception dead at age 72 CNN Super Bowl NFL Black History Firsts ABC News Super Bowl Week Conjures Up Bright Moments WGBO February 1 2017 TSN Presents Football s 100 Greatest Players June 27 2008 Archived from the original on June 27 2008 Retrieved March 25 2018 Goodman Mark January 13 1980 A Class Act from the Start O J Simpson Retires in Style The Central New Jersey Home News p 173 via Newspapers com nbsp Stoneking Dan October 3 1980 Here comes Franco The Minneapolis Star p 14 via Newspapers com nbsp Franco Harris ended career with Seahawks The Boston Globe Archived from the original on September 24 2015 Retrieved March 25 2018 Smith Yaneek January 24 2011 10 NFL Greats We Wish Had Played for Just One Team Bleacher Report NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 1984 Pro Football Reference com Pro Football Reference com Archived from the original on November 13 2017 Retrieved March 25 2018 NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1984 Pro Football Reference com Pro Football Reference com Archived from the original on November 13 2017 Retrieved March 25 2018 NFL Rushing Leaders archived from the original on August 10 2009 retrieved October 12 2009 The Super Bakery Story PDF Archived from the original PDF on July 28 2011 Retrieved October 26 2009 Philadelphia company buys Parks Sausage Co Observer Reporter February 4 1999 Archived from the original on April 23 2021 Retrieved March 25 2018 via Google News CEO welcomes a challenge Reading Eagle June 14 1992 Archived from the original on April 23 2021 Retrieved March 25 2018 via Google News Forest City Enterprises Press Releases November 1 2007 Archived from the original on November 1 2007 AP News Wire Associated Press News Retrieved March 6 2023 The Associated Press It s official Barack Obama elected 44th president Archived from the original on December 18 2008 Retrieved November 11 2016 AP Inquirer Obama wins in a formality Philadelphia Daily News Archived from the original on December 17 2008 Retrieved March 25 2018 OWNERSHIP Official Website of the Pittsburgh Passion Women s Football Team March 29 2013 Archived from the original on March 29 2013 Retrieved March 25 2018 Schilken Chuck Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Paterno dead link Los Angeles Times November 16 2011 9 32 am Retrieved November 22 2011 Carroll Charlotte Watch NFL s 100th anniversary Super Bowl ad Sports Illustrated Retrieved December 22 2022 a b Sandomir Richard Victor Daniel December 21 2022 Franco Harris Steeler Who Caught Immaculate Reception Dies at 72 The New York Times Retrieved December 21 2022 SUMMARY REPORT Allegheny County 2009 General Election Allegheny County Board of Elections November 3 2009 archived from the original on November 8 2009 retrieved November 4 2009 Kdka com Brother of Former Steeler Passes Away Archived from the original on September 27 2007 Retrieved February 13 2007 Conti Symposium to Focus on Healthy Cost Effective Food hhdev psu edu October 7 2009 Archived from the original on August 14 2014 Retrieved August 13 2014 200 flock to King of Prussia in support of Paterno Philadelphia Daily News Damp Patrick December 25 2022 Pittsburgh Sports Year In Review Looking back on the biggest sports stories of 2022 CBS Pittsburgh Retrieved December 30 2022 Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris dead at 72 WTAE Retrieved December 21 2022 Graves Will December 21 2022 Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72 Associated Press News Retrieved December 21 2022 Rutter Joe December 21 2022 Steelers great Franco Harris dies at age 72 Pittsburgh Tribune Review Retrieved December 21 2022 Koroza Alex December 22 2022 In One of His Final Interviews Franco Harris Discussed His Excitement for Saturday s Ceremony Steelers Depot Retrieved December 30 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Franco Harris passes away at 72 The Economic Times December 21 2022 Guggenheimer Paul December 21 2022 Terry Bradshaw in state of shock over Franco Harris death Trib Live Retrieved December 30 2022 a b Labrlola Bob December 23 2022 Hall of Fame RB Franco Harris 72 Pittsburgh Steelers Retrieved December 30 2022 via steelers com Varley Teresa December 23 2022 Reacting to the loss of a Steelers icon Pittsburgh Steelers Retrieved December 30 2022 via steelers com YouTube dead link Berman Can t think of Steelers without thinking of Franco Harris ESPN Video December 21 2022 Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Franco Harris Press release The White House December 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2022 Joe Biden Barack Obama Mourn Franco Harris Death An Extraordinary Man TMZ December 21 2022 Retrieved December 30 2022 Pittsburghers mourn the loss of Franco Harris as stories of his legend pour in 90 5 WESA December 21 2022 Retrieved December 23 2022 Franco John Fetterman on YouTube retrieved December 23 2022 Public viewing for Franco Harris held at Acrisure Stadium December 28 2022 Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement achievement org American Academy of Achievement Archived from the original on December 15 2016 Retrieved November 27 2020 Franco Harris to be inducted into NJ Hall of Fame Philly Philadelphia Daily News May 26 2011 Archived from the original on September 22 2017 Retrieved March 25 2018 Steelers retire Franco Harris No 32 during emotional halftime ceremony days after Hall of Famer s death NFL com December 24 2022 Steelers legend Franco Harris dead at 72 December 21 2022 Robinson Alan Joe Greene only 2nd player in Steelers history to get number retired TribLIVE com Archived from the original on November 13 2017 Retrieved March 25 2018 Bio Franco Harris onlc com Keegan Kayla September 26 2018 Here s What Franco Harris Might Have to Do With This Is Us Good Housekeeping Retrieved December 21 2022 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Franco Harris Franco Harris at Pro Football Reference com nbsp Franco Harris at College Football at Sports Reference com nbsp Pro Football Hall of Fame Franco Harris Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Franco Harris amp oldid 1178712222, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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