ALTOONA, Pa. -- Franco Harris was a good running back at Penn State from 1969-71, then as he emerged as an NFL superstar with the Steelers and for the rest of his life, Harris became and remained a tremendous ambassador for the university.
Harris absolutely loved Penn State and his former coach, Joe Paterno, and remained ever loyal to both for his entire life, even after Paterno was fired amidst the Jerry Sandusky scandal in 2011. Harris spent many years after that working diligently to try and restore the tarnished legacy of Paterno, who died in 2012.
Harris died Tuesday night at age 72, and the world learned about it on Wednesday, which ironically enough would have been Paterno's 96th birthday.
Harris also was highly respected by the Pitt football program, which shares a facility with the Steelers and, therefore, was around at times over the years.
Following the news of Harris' death, Penn State coach James Franklin and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi both began their national signing day press conferences Wednesday with condolences and thoughts about the football icon.
"I want to take a moment to recognize the past in the loss of Franco Harris," Franklin said before later adding, "A huge loss, huge loss for football in general, college football, NFL, Penn State and really Pennsylvania, for him to have the type of career that he had at Penn State and then go on and do it at the Steelers.
"But more importantly than that, just an unbelievable human being. Was really an ambassador for the university and the football program, was a servant and leader. Every time I had a chance to be around him, I was just so impressed with him and his wife. Very involved with a lot of different causes throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
"Just an amazing, amazing human being, so, huge loss for us. We want to send our condolences to the family, and if there's anything we can do to support, we'd like to do that."
Narduzzi shared a story about seeing Harris at the football facility before this season.
"When I got in the car, heard the awful news about Franco Harris. What a weekend it was going to be (with the Steelers' celebration), and it's still going to be a great weekend, I suppose. But a little sad, obviously, with with the passing of Franco Harris. So, my sympathy goes out to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Franco Harris family. Just an awful deal.
"I just saw him on the patio, and was thinking about it this morning. He was out on the patio during an August practice, I believe at the end when they came back from Latrobe, and saw Mr. Rooney and Franco and kind of talked with them for about five minutes before they walked down onto the field before practice. And I'm supposing that conversation that they came out of his office was probably saying, 'Hey, we're gonna retire your jersey.' I'm guessing, I didn't know that at the time, but I'm just guessing that was the conversation going on.
"So we had a nice conversation out there. Talked about Pitt and Penn State and the love we have there. Just just kind of heartbreaking. So, I guess I have to start off there for our neighbors, and we love those guys next door."
Harris played at Penn State from 1969-71. He rushed for 643 yards, 675 and 684 during his three seasons with the Nittany Lions, scoring 20 touchdowns. His final year in college, Harris was more of a blocking back for Lydell Mitchell, who had a sensational season with 1,567 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Mitchell was the star of that Penn State offense, not Harris, and it's Mitchell who is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
But Harris clearly made a gigantic mark in the NFL with the Steelers, becoming a superstar, winning four Super Bowls and rushing for 12,120 yards on the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The way the story goes, according to some historians, many believed the Steelers would actually select Mitchell with the No. 13 pick of the 1972 NFL draft. Instead, they took his Penn State teammate, even though Mitchell was the one who had the much better season in 1971 and was a first-team All-American.
Franco was the bigger running back, and so the Steelers felt he would be better suited for the NFL. Mitchell wound up as a second-round pick (No. 48 overall) and had a fine NFL career, rushing for 6,534 yards and twice leading the league in receptions.
But it was Harris who became a football legend, beginning really with the Immaculate Reception for the Steelers in 1972.
“His professional career and accomplishments speak for itself as a Pro Football Hall of Famer, four-time Super Bowl Champion and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, but it was his toughness and team-first approach as a Nittany Lion that will long be remembered by Penn Staters. Franco was a true steward of the Blue & White and he will be sorely missed," Franklin said in a university release.
Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft had this to say about Harris' passing:
“As a child growing up in the Midwest, Franco Harris was a legendary figure, who I was always enamored with. When I was blessed to join the Penn State family earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to get to know Franco and his wife, Dana, very well. They have been so gracious with their kindness and support. Franco was known for his grit and unrelenting style on the field but his compassion, warmth, generosity off the field will leave a lasting impression on me. I am heartbroken for all who loved him. We have lost a true legend and friend.”
