Steelers legend, hero of Immaculate Reception, Harris dead at 72

Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame Steelers running back and the author of one of the most iconic plays in Pittsburgh sports history, the Immaculate Reception, has died. He was 72.

Harris was set to be honored and have his No. 32 retired Saturday night when the Steelers take on the Raiders.

"It is difficult to find the appropriate words to describe Franco Harris' impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his teammates, the city of Pittsburgh and Steelers Nation," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a released statement. "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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dana, his son Dok, and his extended family in this difficult time."

His death comes just two days shy of the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the play that won the Steelers their first playoff game and helped elevate the franchise from cellar dweller to one of the league's elite almost overnight.

Facing a 4th and 10, down 7-6 to the Raiders in the AFC Divisional Round on Dec. 23, 1972, Terry Bradshaw fired a desperation pass to Frenchy Fuqua, which began to fall to the ground after Fuqua collided with safety Jack Tatum. Harris was able to get to the ball just before it hit the turf and ran untouched for the score in one of the improbable comebacks in the history of the sport.

"That play really represents our teams of the '70s," Harris said after the Immaculate Reception was voted the greatest play in NFL history as part of the league's 100th anniversary in 2020.

Mike Tomlin called it “the most significant play in the history of the game" this week.

"It's just one of those beautiful things in the history of our game. It’s 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’s done for this franchise," Tomlin said Tuesday. "It’s just an honor to be in proximity to it. To know the man involved, to call Pittsburgh home, and so it's awesome to be a part of and to witness."

Tomlin couldn't talk about the Immaculate Reception and not talk about Harris. Not the player that caught the deflected pass to send the Steelers to the AFC Championship, but the man he's come to know over the years during his tenure as head coach.

"He’s just a special man. Forget the player. Obviously, I never knew the player, I know the man and just what an awesome representation of this organization, this community, a guy that embraces all the responsibility that comes with being him," Tomlin said. "I just admire his passion for Pittsburgh and young people. He served a long time on the board with my wife, [on] Pittsburgh Promise, and his passion for others in this place and the Steelers is unparalleled, and it’s to be admired."

Harris and the Steelers would go on to win four Super Bowls in the 70s, including Super Bowl IX when he ran for a then-record 158 yards and won Super Bowl MVP.

Harris played 13 years in the NFL, his first 12 with the Steelers, and finished with 12,120 yards rushing — third all-time behind Walter Payton to Jim Brown when he retired — 100 touchdowns, nine pro bowls, the 1972 Rookie of the Year and one All-Pro selection. He is the franchise's all-time leading rusher. 

"The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today," Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. "We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall, and most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet. Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways.

"The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco's football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field."

Around the league and the sports world, friends and members of the Steelers and football family have spoken out to pay honor to Harris:

Harris is survived by his wife Dana Dokmanovich and his son, Dok.