Legendary NFL running back Franco Harris, who made the “Immaculate Reception” and remains the Pittsburgh Steelers’ all-time leading rusher, has died at age 72. Harris’ family told The Associated Press that Harris died Wednesday; his cause of death was not disclosed.
Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement: “The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely sad today. 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.
The Steelers selected Harris with the No. 13 overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft. He won the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award in 1972 after rushing for a then-team-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Steelers reached the postseason for just the second time in franchise history.
Harris also won four Super Bowl titles and was the Super Bowl IX MVP. He made the “Immaculate Reception,” one of the most famous plays in NFL history, during a 1972 divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. Harris played for the Steelers from 1972 through 1983. He spent his final season in 1984 with the Seattle Seahawks, retiring with 12,120 rushing yards (the most in NFL history at that point). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. The running back made the Pro Bowl in each of his first nine seasons and was an All-Pro in 1977.
The Steelers previously scheduled to retire Harris’ No. 32 jersey at halftime of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday in Pittsburgh. That game will kick off at 8:15 p.m. EST at Acrisure Stadium. Friday will mark the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception.
Harris is survived by his wife, Dana Dokmanovich, and son, Dok.
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