Remembering Franco: Reaction to the death of Franco Harris
FILE - Former Pittsburgh Steelers pro football hall of fame running back Franco Harris takes part in festivities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1974 Steelers before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Gene J. Puskar]
Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Jerome Bettis are among those mourning the death of Franco Harris. The Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back died this week at the age of 72 just before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception that forever earned him a spot in NFL lore. Dungy called Harris a role model. Bettis described Harris as a legend on the field and the personification of greatness off it. President Joe Biden recalled Harris spending time with his sons after his first wife and young daughter were killed in a car accident.
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FILE - Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Seattle Seahawks in first period action Sunday, Sept. 10, 1978, in Pittsburgh. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. (AP Photo/RCG)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/RCG
FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris twirls a Terrible Towel during a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of his "Immaculate Reception" catch in the 1972 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, during the halftime of an NFL football game between the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Gene J. Puskar