When I was a kid the Pittsburgh Steelers were my second favorite team – my favorite of course being the Baltimore Colts.
In 1972, the Colts struggled, finishing with a (5-9) record. Johnny Unitas was a broken player and his backup Marty Domres made absolutely no one forget about Earl Morrall. So it was easy to root for a Steelers team that fielded several up and coming players, one of which was Franco Harris.
The Colts season ended on December 16 after a 16-0 loss to Morrall and the Dolphins, the last regular season win during Miami’s perfect (17-0) season. The Steelers were my playoff team.
The following week on my 12th birthday, I watched the Steelers as they hosted the Oakland Raiders. It was a defensive struggle. The two teams combined, managed just 468 yards of offense and up until the game’s final seconds, had just 13 points on the board with the Raiders holding a 7-6 lead. The end of the season for my No. 2 team, just like my favorite team, seemed inevitable.
Then it happened – the Immaculate Reception.
Legendary Steelers RB Franco Harris, author of the “Immaculate Reception” – one of the greatest plays in NFL history – has passed away at the age of 72.
A 4-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame player and revered individual by so many.
RIP.pic.twitter.com/hUERPwHVwo
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 21, 2022
One could argue that the Immaculate Reception was the most memorable play in NFL history. Some even think of it as the greatest, particularly when you consider that Franco Harris, the deliverer of the Immaculate Reception, was supposed to stay in and block. But after realizing that the play was breaking down, he leaked out into the left flat to provide quarterback Terry Bradshaw with a check-down option.
The rest is history.
I remember my Dad saying, “How about that for a birthday present!” as I leapt around the living room following the touchdown.
Ah, those memories.
During the festivities leading up to Super Bowl 35, I was fortunate enough to meet Franco in a bar in Ybor City. He was accompanied by his good friend and Penn State teammate Lydell Mitchell. Both men were accommodating, cordial and more than willing to talk about their careers. When I greeted Franco and shared my name with him, he said, “You could have been part of the Italian Army!”
Just an absolutely great guy. You could see the joy in his eyes, feel it in his aura.
The loss of Franco Harris today is a huge blow to the NFL and its fans. But I’m sure it’s a crushing blow to the city of Pittsburgh who had planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception this Saturday when the Steelers host the Raiders.
I think those of us who support Baltimore-based sports franchises can relate to the loss, to the pain of saying goodbye to an iconic player like Franco. His loss is every bit as large as that of Baltimore’s loss of Johnny U. back on September 11, 2002. The history of Pittsburgh sports and arguably the city’s civic pride cannot be written without Franco Harris. His importance to Pittsburgh is as immense as John’s here in Charm City. Both passed far too early, John at the age of 69, Franco at 72.
My heartfelt condolences to all who knew and rooted for Franco Harris, a player whose memory will live forever in the annals of NFL history thanks in part to the Immaculate Reception, but mostly because he was a great player and an even greater man.
2 Responses
Shame on the Steelers for not retiring Franco’s number 32 a long, long time ago while he was young and healthy and could have enjoyed all the excitement.
Ah, yes, I remember it well! A wonderful and deserving tribute, Tony! Allow me to propose a year end toast: here’s to family and friends near and far, old and new, past and present, gone, but never forgotten!