PHOTOS: Looking back on the life of Franco Harris
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. He was 72.
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris twirls a Terrible Towel during a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of his "Immaculate Reception" catch in the 1972 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, during the halftime of an NFL football game between the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. Associated Press.
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers' Franco Harris (32) eludes a tackle by Oakland Raiders' Jimmy Warren as he runs 42 yards for a touchdown after catching a deflected pass during an AFC Divisional NFL football playoff game in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23, 1972. Harris died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, 2022, at age 72, just two days before the 50th anniversary of The Immaculate Reception. Associated Press.
Franco Harris waves to fans at during an introduction at a 2019 Steelers Game. Butler Eagle File Photo
FILE - Hall of Fame running back, Pittsburgh Steelers' Franco Harris stands on the spot of the "Immaculate Reception" after a marker commemorating the 40th anniversary of the play was unveiled where Three Rivers Stadium once stood on the Northside of Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. Associated Press
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris is shown in 1973. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. Associated Press
FILE - Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Seattle Seahawks in first period action Sunday, Sept. 10, 1978, in Pittsburgh. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. Associated Press
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, named as offensive rookie of the year by The Associated Press, is pictured before a collage of posters in the team offices in Pittsburgh, Jan. 2, 1973. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. Associated Press
FILE - Former Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers football player Franco Harris arrives for a private ceremony Friday, Sept 16, 2016, in State College, Pa. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. Associated Press
NFL Hall of Fame member Franco Harris visits with Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Reggie Jackson, right, before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
NFL Hall of Famer Franco Harris speaks to the crowd during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April, 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. Associated Press
Former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers player Franco Harris speaks during a drive-in rally for Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden at Lexington Technology Park, Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, in Pittsburgh. Associated Press
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris poses with fans before an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Steelers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. Associated Press
Former Oakland Raiders linebacker Phil Villapiano, left, and with former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris gesture toward fans before an NFL football game between the Raiders and the Steelers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018. Asscoiated Press
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris acknowldeges fans during a halftime ceremony honoring former Steelers players during halftime of the NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh. Associated Press
