Sports world reacts to the death of Steelers great Franco Harris
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL lost one of their legends with the death of Franco Harris. On Wednesday, Harris' family announced that the Hall of Fame running back died overnight. He was 72.
Harris helped author one of the league's most iconic plays in a 1972 AFC playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. Trailing late, Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw threw up a last-second pass. When Raiders DB Jack Tatum collided with Frenchy Fuqua, the intended receiver, the ball caromed backward, where Harris grabbed it before it hit the ground. He took the catch, now forever known as the Immaculate Reception, for the winning score.
His play was etched into sports lore and helped launched the Steelers' dynasty. Harris' death comes just two days before the 50th anniversary of the play.
Harris, who played collegiately at Penn State, won NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1972 and rushed for 12,120 yards in his career while winning four Super Bowls in Pittsburgh. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
People from around the sports world paid tribute to Harris on Wednesday.
