Franco Harris, a hall of Fame running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose lace up catch on what he called the Perfect Reception in 1972 remains one of NFL as most memorable moments history has died. He was 72 years old. His son, Franco Doc Harris, confirmed his death to the Associated Press. No cause of death was given. Harris death coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Perfect Reception, which current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week was the most important game in the history of the sport. The Steelers planned to retire Harris no. 32 jersey during a halftime ceremony at Sari's game the 6th. But two running back, one, four Super Bowls with the Steelers as they established themselves as the dominant force in the 1970s NFL.
He was named to the Pro Bowl in every of his first 9 seasons. But it was a single one dimensional game that defined his career more than anything else. On deck. 23 72. The Steelers fell behind seven minutes six in a divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. With less than 30 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a desperation pass to John French firkle that went wide of the ground. But Harris scooped the ball out of the air just inches from the turf and ran and touched for the game winning touchdown, a miraculous finish that has been replayed thousands of time since.
Five years later, Harris, who played college football at Penn State, remains one of the most popular Steelers players and is an instantly recognizable face in Pittsburgh. He rushed for 12,120 yards in 13 seasons, twelve of them in Pittsburgh, and was a key to the Steelers most successful era, winning Super Bowls in the 1970, and 1979 seasons. Sarri's ceremony during halftime of the primetime game against the Las Vegas Raiders is already planned to honor Harris. Steelers President Art Rooney Two, a member of the family that has owned the team since its inception in 1933, said in a statement in September that Franco's impact on the team can't be overstated. My grandfather used to say before Franco came here, we didn't win much. Since he came here, we don't lose, he said in a statement.
Harris retired since 1984 as the third leading rusher in NFL history behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown. He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. We have lost an incredible soccer player, an incredible hall of Fame ambassador and most importantly, one of the finest gentlemen anyone has ever seen, Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a stated harris was born March 7, 1950 in Fort Dix, NJ. After finishing the studies from Rankokas Valley Regional High School in New Jersey. He played linebacker at Penn State, starting the track for running back Little Mitchell.
The Steelers selected him with the 13th pick in the first round of the 1972 NFL. Drafted, he made an immediate impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors with 1055 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. The Steelers never lost a game in his twelve seasons, and his career record of 354 yards rushing in the Super Bowl still stands today. His 13th and final season with the Seattle Seahawks will be his last. Harris leaves behind his wife, Dana Dokmanovic and son Doc, according to the Associated Press.
Final words of joe bidens statement
"The last few times I saw Franco were in September and November of 2020 on the campaign trail in Latrobe and Pittsburgh. This week of all weeks, my family remembers him and keeps him close to our hearts.
May God bless, Franco Harris – a dear friend, a good man, and a great American.
May God bless the love of his life Dana, their family, and all of Steeler Nation".
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