Franco Harris, known for Immaculate Reception, has died at the age of 72

Franco Harris, known for Immaculate Reception, has died at the age of 72

It was the 50th anniversary of the miraculous catch for the Steelers

Harris, 72, was a Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers running back who made a miraculous grab in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoffs against the Oakland Raiders.

He died just days before the Steelers were to retire his No. 32 jersey and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception” at Acrisure Stadium. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin spoke about Harris’ catch on Tuesday.

“I was in Section 135. I was eight months old and I think it’s funny. Surprisingly, I’ve probably met 75,000 people that were there that day,” Tomlin said. “It’s just one of those beautiful things in the history of our game and it really is humbling to be in close proximity to it, work for this organization, understand its impact on this organization–the career Franco Harris started, the gold-jacket career he had at the end of the ’70s season–what it did for them on a professional level that year, what it’s done for this franchise ever since.”

Franco Harris, known for Immaculate Reception, has died at the age of 72

“There are many things that make it the play that it is and the most significant play in our game history. Being close to it is truly an honor. Knowing the man involved, being a Pittsburghian, and being a part of and witnessing it are all great privileges. Despite that, we know we have business, we have present-day business to conduct, and the best way we can honor him is to perform. In order to prepare ourselves, we will work extremely hard.”

The cause of Harris’ death was not immediately known, according to WTAE.

Dok Harris told the Associated Press that his father passed away overnight.

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In 1972, Harris was drafted by the Steelers in the first round. As a rookie, he rushed for 1,055 yards and scored 10 touchdowns while earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Under legendary coach Chuck Noll, his prowess in the Steelers’ offense made him a key player in the franchise’s dynasty.

With the Steelers, he ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings in the 1970s, but a dynasty might not have existed without his heads-up play against the Raiders in 1972.

With 22 seconds remaining, the Steelers trailed 7-6 and faced a 4th-and-10 from their own 44-yard line. The Steelers had won the division with an 11-3 record and raced the Raiders, who were 10-3-1.

John “Frenchy” Fuqua was the beneficiary of Terry Bradshaw’s deep throw. As the running back collided with Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum, the ball somehow reached Harris, who caught the ball and returned it for a touchdown, marking the franchise’s first playoff win.

The play was hailed as the greatest in NFL history in 2020.

At the time, Harris said, “That play really represents our teams of the 1970s.”

A nine-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro once, Harris played 13 years in the NFL – 12 with the Steelers and one with the Seattle Seahawks in 1984.

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