Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris has died at 72. Harris' death comes just two days before the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception” and three days before the Pittsburgh Steelers planned to retire his number.
in a 1972 playoff game. The team is also planning to retire his number 32 jersey, only the third time the Steelers have bestowed such an honor on a player, in a pregame ceremony this weekend.“My grandfather once was quoted as saying ‘Before Franco got here, we didn’t win much. Since he got here, we don’t lose.’” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in September when the team announced Harris’ jersey number would be retired. “I think that sums it up pretty good.
At the time, the Steelers were a lowly franchise with just one playoff appearance in the organization’s history. With a physical running style and a humble personality that fit Pittsburgh’s working-class identity, the rugged running back helped transform the Steelers into a dynasty that would win the Super Bowl four times in six seasons from 1974-75 to 1979-80.
That promising rookie season helped the Steelers capture a berth in the 1972 AFC divisional round against the rival Oakland Raiders, marking just the second playoff appearance in Steelers history. It was there that Harris became part of one of the greatest plays in NFL history. On fourth-and-10 with 22 seconds remaining and the Steelers trailing, 7-6, all hope appeared lost. Pittsburgh linebacker Jack Ham began cutting off his tape.
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