Franco Harris: Steelers Hall of Famer dies aged 72; legendary running back famed for 'The Immaculate Reception'

Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back who became famous for 'The Immaculate Reception' that helped transform the Pittsburgh Steelers from also-rans into the NFL's elite, has died at the age of 72.

Harris' son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.

Harris' death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the immaculate reception play for which he became renowned, considered the most iconic in NFL history.

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve as part of the anniversary celebrations, a repeat of the 1972 divisional playoff clash between the two teams. The Steelers have a half-time ceremony scheduled to retire Harris' No 32 jersey.

Harris ran for 12,120 yards over his 12-year playing career from 1972 to 1984, all but one of which was spent with the Steelers.

He won four Super Bowl rings with Pittsburgh in the 1970s, a dynasty that began with Harris' world-famous catch against the Raiders in the 1972 playoffs.

With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40-yard line, with only 22 seconds remaining in the game, quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw the ball deep to running back French Fuqua. Fuqua and Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum collided, sending the ball careening back toward midfield and in the direction of Harris.

While nearly everyone else on the field stopped, Harris kept his legs churning, snatching the ball just inches above the turf before then out-racing several stunned defenders to give the Steelers their first playoff victory in the franchise's four-decade history.

"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.

While the Steelers were defeated the following week by the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Championship game, Pittsburgh were on their way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s in the NFL, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 campaigns.

Harris was at the centre of it all. He ran for a then-record 158 rushing yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to being named the game's MVP.

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.

'Humble giant' Harris will be talked of forever

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said of the news: "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of Franco Harris.

"He meant so much to Steelers fans as the Hall of Fame running back who helped form the nucleus of the team's dynasty of the '70s, but he was much more. He was a gentle soul who touched so many in the Pittsburgh community and throughout the entire NFL.

"He will forever live in the hearts of Steelers fans everywhere, his teammates, and the city of Pittsburgh.

"Our condolences go out to his wife, Dana, and their son, Dok."

Harris' former quarterback, Bradshaw, appearing on Good Morning Football, said of his team-mate: "He was seriously just a good guy... his success never changed him. That's one of the beauties about him.

"We were always laughing. I had so much fun messing with him on his blocking and catching. He was a great team-mate. He was a vocal guy on the sidelines. He was such a good man. Always smiling. A humble giant.

"He'll be talked of forever."

GMFB presenter Kyle Brandt also paid a touching tribute to Harris' legacy, saying: "This is an icon, an icon of Pittsburgh, an icon of professional football.

"He is in many ways the face of the city - more so than many other athletes might be.

"I love The Immaculate Reception, but I don't want it misconstrued at all that Franco Harris was part of some one-hit wonder. He was a wildly productive, consistent, tough runner."

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Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, and its president Jim Porter said in a statement: "We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet.

"Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways.

"The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco's football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field."