Franco Harris: ‘Immaculate Reception’ anniversary for legendary Steelers running back who died aged 72 this week | NFL News

Franco Harris’ death came two days before the 50th anniversary of ‘The Immaculate Reception’ play that he was famed for; the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve in a repeat of that 1972 clash, with a half-time ceremony scheduled to retire Harris’ No 32 jersey

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Franco Harris scored the ‘Immaculate Reception’ touchdown against the Raiders 50 years ago in an AFC divisional playoff game

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve, with their Saturday night clash a celebration of one of the iconic plays in NFL history – the ‘Immaculate Reception’.

However those celebrations will ultimately be bittersweet after the death of legendary Steelers running back Franco Harris, aged 72, on Wednesday – the man who scored the touchdown recently voted the greatest play in NFL history.

With Pittsburgh trailing 7-6 in the 1972 AFC divisional playoff against the Raiders, 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 John ‘Frenchy’ 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.

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, with Harris very much at the heart of those successes.

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NFL Films looks back on the career of legendary Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, who has passed away at the age of 72.

The Steelers (6-8) and Raiders (6-8) can’t really be considered Super Bowl contenders this season, though the winner on Saturday night would push themselves into the AFC wild card race with two games to go of the 2022 regular season.

The Steelers said on Wednesday that they would still honour Harris and retire his No 32 jersey – as planned – at half-time in the game, with tributes pouring in for the Hall of Fame running back since his untimely death. Here are just some of them…

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II: “It is difficult to find the appropriate words to describe Franco Harris impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his teammates, the city of Pittsburgh and Steelers Nation.

“From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field. He never stopped giving back in so many ways. He touched so many, and he was loved by so many.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: “He meant so much to Steelers fans as the Hall of Fame running back who helped form the nucleus of the teams 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. Franco changed the way people thought of the Steelers, of Pittsburgh, and of the NFL.”

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Pro Football Talk presenter Mike Florio gets emotional as he recalls his memories of Pittsburgh Steelers running back great Franco Harris following the news of his death aged 72.

US President Joe Biden: “Say the name Franco Harris and most everyone talks about the catch, the Super Bowls, and the glory he brought to the game of football. But in the 50- years we bonded as friends, I always talked about his character and compassion.

“I know there will also be countless families like mine that will remember him for all that he did to lift our spirits when we needed it in the most quiet, personal and American of ways.”

Current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin: “There’s so much to be learned from him in terms of how he conducted himself, how he embraced the responsibilities of being Franco for Steeler Nation, for this community.

“He embraced it all and did it with such grace and class and patience and time for people.”

Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward: “Franco was ‘the guy’. And for as many accolades as he got, he always deflected to so many other people. It was a pleasure to just meet him and the way he went about respecting people after him I thought was incredible.”

Retired Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw: “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.”

Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, a team-mate of Harris’ in the late 1970s: “One of the kindest, gentlest men I have ever known. He was a great person & great team-mate. Hall of Fame player but so much more than that. A tremendous role model for me!”

Former Steelers Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis: “Words cant begin to describe the pain I am feeling. Franco will always be a brother, mentor and my definition of greatness. He was a legend on the field and the personification of excellence off of the field.”