50 years of Franco Harris' The Immaculate Reception: Steelers legend's immortal play still greatest ever in NFL history
Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris passed away on December 21, 2022 at the age of 72. The four-time winning Super Bowl back passed away days before the Steelers were going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "The Immaculate Reception." The Steelers are also set to retire his number 32 on the same night. The cause of death has yet to be announced.
Legendary Steelers RB Franco Harris, author of the “Immaculate Reception” - one of the greatest plays in NFL history - has passed away at the age of 72.
A 4-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame player and revered individual by so many.
RIP.
https://t.co/hUERPwHVwo
The Immaculate Reception is dubbed the greatest play in NFL history. It ranked as the number one play in NFL History in the NFL Network's 100 series. NFL Films also labeled it "the greatest play of all-time" and "the most controversial of all-time."
The play occurred during the 1972 AFC divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders. It is also one of the most famous plays in NFL history.
With the Steelers down 7-6 with seconds left in the game on fourth down, quarterback Terry Bradshaw targeted John Fuqua. As safety Jack Tatum tried to break up the pass, the ball deflected into Harris' hands, and he ran the ball for a touchdown, breaking a tackle near the endzone and winning the game.
The victory was the berth of the Steelers' franchise. They lost the next week to the Miami Dolphins but would go on to win four out of six Super Bowls in the 1970s.
The play is so iconic for Pittsburgh that there's a statue at their airport of Harris making the catch.
🖤
So sad to hear the passing of Franco Harris. Once super early at the Pittsburgh airport he was in front of me on the escalator as we passed by his own statue. It was magical.
My entire camera roll is Franco photos every time we arrive at the PIT airport 😢🖤💛 https://t.co/2856YwsocE
Franco Harris' death shocks the NFL world
Harris' death on early Wednesday morning shocked the NFL world. It comes a few days before the Steelers were set to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of his Immaculate Reception.
Many coaches, former teammates, sports personalities, and friends and family expressed their grief upon learning about the passing of the former Steelers star.
Here is how the NFL world reacted to the news:
Statement from the #Steelers on the passing of Franco Harris:
https://t.co/VbAYayC0Uo
We have lost an Icon in Franco Harris. He embodied Pgh in his Grace, Humility, & Sense of Pride. He was a Champion on the Field & Ambassador off it. Thank you Franco for setting the standard that we all strive to achieve as a Professional & as a Person. RIP & condolences to Dana. https://t.co/3GtCgOpeOW
Woke up this morning to the devastating news that my friend Franco Harris passed away during the night. One of the kindest, gentlest men I have ever known. He was a great person & great teammate. Hall of Fame player but so much more than that. A tremendous role model for me! https://t.co/OswJ82x7I1
Franco Harris embodied everything good about football and humanity. My mother loved football, and she loved Franco Harris. Losing him feels like losing her all over again.
Crushing news about Franco Harris. Just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. He’s literally the image on the patch the Steelers will wear this weekend. He literally changed the course of NFL history. #HereWeGo https://t.co/lEx8BDL1gw
Harris was the Steelers' first-round pick in the 1972 draft out of Penn State. In his career, he ran for 12,120 yards, 91 rushing touchdowns, 2,287 receiving yards, and nine receiving touchdowns. He was named to nine consecutive Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro in his career.
Steelers nation and the rest of the world will always remember Harris for his greatest play in NFL history -- The Immaculate Reception.