Steelers fans awake to devastating news
The Pittsburgh Steelers organization will never be the same after Wednesday. Hall of Fame running back, Franco Harris, has died at the age of 72, according to his family. Losing Harris is bad enough, but the timing is what makes his passing so devastating. This Saturday when the Steelers host the Las Vegas Raiders, Harris […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers organization will never be the same after Wednesday. Hall of Fame running back, Franco Harris, has died at the age of 72, according to his family.
Losing Harris is bad enough, but the timing is what makes his passing so devastating. This Saturday when the Steelers host the Las Vegas Raiders, Harris was set to have his No. 32 jersey retired to commemorate the anniversary of "The Immaculate Reception" that took place in 1972 during a divisional playoff game against the then Oakland Raiders.
"That play really represents our teams of the '70s," Harris said.
That score by Harris changed the entire Steelers franchise. It was the first playoff victory in team history, and the Steelers steamrolled throughout the rest of the decade winning four Super Bowls in six years (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979).
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, spoke on the play that was voted the greatest in NFL history on Tuesday and also revealed an interesting nugget.
"I was in Section 135 that day. I was eight months old," Tomlin said. "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. 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."
Harris played 12 for the Steelers and amassed 11,950 yards and 91 rushing touchdowns (100 total touchdowns) while garnering nine Pro Bowl honors and three All-Pro selections.
Harris will forever be known for the Immaculate Reception, but his best performance came on the biggest stage. In Super Bowl IX against the Minnesota Vikings, Harris was named the MVP after rushing for 158 yards on 34 carries, one of which went for a touchdown.
The final year of Harris's career was spent with the Seattle Seahawks when he rushed for just 170 yards. However, Harris let it known where his loyalty lies back in 2006.
"I don't even think about that [anymore]," Harris said. "I'm still black and gold."
The man who once ran through NFL defense has now run through the pearly gates. Transition well, Franco.
Feature image via Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
