The Steelers haven't retired a player's number since doing so with Joe Greene's No. 75 in 2014.
That brought the number of officially retired numbers in the team's storied history to two, as Greene joined Ernie Stautner, who wore No. 70, as the only ones given that status in team history.
But with the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the most famous play in team history and perhaps the history of the NFL, approaching later this year, the team decided to add to its short list of retired numbers.
Team president Art Rooney II announced Tuesday the Steelers will officially retire the No. 32 worn by Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back who immortalized himself with the touchdown he scored against the Raiders Dec. 23, 1972, in the closing seconds of a playoff game to give the franchise its first postseason victory.
"I am thrilled we are going to honor Franco with this recognition by retiring his No. 32 jersey," Rooney said. "This is the 50th anniversary of one of the most memorable plays in NFL history; one that changed the course of our success with his 'Immaculate Reception' in 1972. My Grandfather was once quoted as saying: 'Before Franco got here, we didn't win much, since he got here, we don't lose.' I think that sums it up pretty good. Franco's impact on the franchise would be hard to overstate. That is why I think it is fitting and appropriate that we recognize Franco's remarkable career by retiring his Number 32 at our game on December 24."
The Steelers will have an official presentation Dec. 23 at the site of where Harris caught the ball out of the air after the Terry Bradshaw pass had been deflected backward by teammate Frenchy Fuqua. That event will take place at 3:29 p.m. -- the same time Harris scored the winning 60-yard touchdown in the 13-7 Steelers victory -- on General Robinson Street outside Acrisure Stadium.
Several members of the Raiders, including Phil Villapiano, and some of Harris' teammates, including Fuqua, are expected to attend.
The next day, Harris will be honored at halftime of the regular season meeting between the two teams.
“What an honor for me to have my No. 32 jersey hang alongside Ernie Stautner and my longtime friend and teammate Joe Greene,” Harris said. “I’m blown away with this honor.”
The Steelers have not issued the number 32 to a player since Harris' final season with the team in 1982, one of several numbers never reissued by the team.
A first-round pick in the 1972 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Harris was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year that season. He was named to the Pro Bowl nine times and was All-Pro on three occasions.
Harris was a member of the Steelers' All-Time Team and the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1970s. He was named the NFL's Man of the Year in 1976 and finished his career with a team-record 11,950 yards with the Steelers. Harris also played briefly for the Seahawks in 1982, finishing with 12,120 rushing yards.
"Franco’s impact on our franchise is hard to overestimate,” Rooney said. “It’s a long overdue jersey retirement.”
