BREAKING: Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died at 72. Harris won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s.
“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris said after the ”Immaculate Reception” was voted the greatest play in NFL history during the league’s 100th anniversary season in 2020.
Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State, found himself in the center of it all. He churned for a then-record 158 yards rushing and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to winning the game’s Most Valuable Player award. He scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL’s biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.
The city’s large Italian-American population embraced Harris immediately, led by two local businessmen who founded what became known as “Franco’s Italian Army,” a nod to Harris’ roots as the son of an African-American father and an Italian mother. Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season, including five times while playing a 14-game schedule. He piled up another 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns in the playoffs, both second all-time behind Smith.Despite his gaudy numbers, Harris stressed he was just one cog in an extraordinary machine that redefined greatness.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris has died, his son tells The Associated Press.
Read more »
Terry Hall, lead singer of the Specials and of ‘Ghost Town’ fame, dies at 63The Specials' front man Terry Hall was known for his politically charged songs. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Read more »
50 years later, Franco Harris’ ‘Immaculate Reception’ still lifts Pittsburgh’s spirits50 years ago this Friday, hustling fullback Franco Harris secured the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-ever playoff win. It was the start of a long dynasty.
Read more »
Country Radio Hall of Famer Charlie Monk, Known as ‘The Mayor of Music Row,’ Dies at 84Country Radio Hall of Famer Charlie Monk, known as ‘The Mayor of Music Row,’ has died at age 84.
Read more »
The Crossword: Tuesday, December 20, 20221989 film in which Patrick Swayze’s character says, “Pain don’t hurt”: nine letters.
Read more »