Franco Harris, N.F.L. Hall of Famer Who Caught ‘Immaculate Reception,’ Dies at 72

“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,” Jim Porter, the president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in a statement.

Harris was born on March 7, 1950, in Fort Dix, N.J. After graduating from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in New Jersey, he played fullback at Penn State, opening running lanes for running back Lydell Mitchell.

The Steelers drafted him with the 13th pick in the first round of the 1972 N.F.L. draft, and he made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year honors with 1,055 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. The Steelers never had a losing record in his 12 seasons, and his career record of 354 rushing yards in Super Bowls stands today.

“All I know is, he’s dependable,” Bradshaw, the Steelers quarterback throughout the ’70s, said of Harris in 1983. “He’s a Rolls-Royce, and since I haven’t seen too many of them driving around the streets of Pittsburgh, it’s nice to know there’s one sitting right behind me on the field.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/sports/football/franco-harris-dead-steelers.html