Mike Rosenstein
nj.com
KDKA in Pittsburgh reports former Steelers running back and New Jersey native Franco Harris is dead at the age of 72.
No cause of death has been reported, according to Pro Football Talk.
Harris, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and helped the Steelers win four Super Bowl titles.
He is best remembered for the Immaculate Reception, with the 50th anniversary of the historic moment coming on Friday. The Steelers planned to celebrate the anniversary by retiring Harris’ No. 32 on Saturday when Pittsburgh hosts the Raiders. Per the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
The Immaculate Reception is arguably the most famous play in NFL history. By know most people know the story. With the Pittsburgh Steelers trailing the Oakland Raiders late in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff, Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a fourth down pass attempt to John “Frenchy” Fuqua. The ball bounced off the hands of Raiders safety Jack Tatum and, as it fell towards the ground, Steelers running back Franco Harris scooped it up and ran for a game-winning touchdown.
Harris played 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 with the Steelers and one with the Seattle Seahawks. Harris, who was born in Fort Dix, N.J., entered the NFL in 1972 as a first-round pick of the Steelers, who selected him No. 13 overall.
Harris ran for 12,190 yards and 91 touchdowns. He recorded eight 1,000-yard seasons and ran for at least 10 touchdowns in five separate years.
Harris was forever enshrined in Canton, Ohio in 1990.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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