A Steelers Hall of Fame running back, Franco Harris, who wrote the book 'The Immaculate Reception,' dies at the age of 72
Franco Harris, an NFL Hall of Fame running back famous for inventing a play that became an iconic part of NFL history and was also the author of "The Immaculate Reception," passed away at 72.
The passing of Harris occurred overnight, two days before the 50th anniversary of the play, which helped transform the Steelers into a premier football team in the league.
Franco Harris touched so many people's lives, both on and off the field, that it was clear that he was loved by many people, and has a huge fanbase
This incredible football player and ambassador to the Pro Football Hall of Fame made a profoundly positive impact on many people.
When Playing With the Famous Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, Harris racked up 12,120 yards and four Super Bowl rings, including the first playoff win in four decades.
However, the Steelers had become the dominant team of the 1970s by the time they lost the AFC Championship to Miami.
Harris won the Most Valuable Player award in Super Bowl IX after rushing for 354 yards. Harris is a 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State.
Harris' Pittsburgh teammate Tony Dungy posted on Twitter that Harris was a great person and role model.
He played collegiately at Penn State as a versatile wide receiver. Pittsburgh Steelers drafted him in 1972, and he helped the team win a championship.
Since Harris won the NFL's Rookie of the Year award in 1972, the Steelers have reached the postseason just twice in franchise history.
It had been 12 seasons that the Steelers offence was engineered by the intensely quiet Franco Harris, who had been with the team for almost a decade.
In spite of his gaudy numbers, Harris made sure to emphasize that he was just one cog in what was an extraordinary machine that redefined what it meant to be great.
As a result of Harris' habit of standing up for his teammates, the Steelers led by 11 points after he sprinted up the middle for a touchdown in the 1978 Super Bowl.
The Steelers cut Harris after he held out during training camp, ending Harris' time in Pittsburgh acrimoniously. May his Soul Rest in Peace
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