Franco Harris, the most iconic play in the history of the NFL – his life, his legacy, and his legacy at the Hall of Fame
Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, who was arguably best known for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history – dubbed the “Immaculate Reception” – has died at the age of 72, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday.
Jim Porter, President of the Hall of Fame said, “We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall, and, most importantly, one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet.”
The story of Franco’s football will be told forever by the Hall of Fame. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.”
“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris recalled after the reception was voted the greatest play in NFL history in 2020 during the league’s 100th anniversary season.
In terms of the trajectory of the season, what it did for them. What it’s done for this franchise. There’s many things that make it the play that it is. The most significant play in the history of the game.”
The 1971 NFL Draft Draft Rookie of the Year: Frenchy Harris, the Steelers, and the Oakland Raiders — The Case for a Playoff Without a Kick
Drafted out of Penn State as the 13th pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, Harris quickly became a star for the team, winning the NFL’s Rookie of the Year after becoming only the fourth rookie in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards.
In a live interview Tuesday on “Mad Dog Unleashed” on SiriusXM radio, Harris recalled December 23, 1972, when he caught a deflected pass just before it hit the ground and ran for a playoff game-winning touchdown to lead his Pittsburgh Steelers over the Oakland Raiders.
Harris noted that he had good reflexes but did not practice them like this. So it kind of blows my mind.”
There was no convincing replay to determine who was in control of the ball when two players collided, and whether Harris caught it or not.
Harris was not far away from where the ball hit the ground. If another Steeler had touched the ball, Harris’ catch would not have been legal.
Looking at the film, Harris says, “I’m thinking that it could only have been” Raiders defender Jack Tatum “that the ball bounced off of” before Harris made the shoestring catch. Frenchy Fuqua had been hit by a collision with Tatum.
The team had their first-ever playoff victory but lost their next game. The team dominated the 1970s, winning four Super Bowls.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/23/sport/franco-harris-immaculate-reception-anniversary-ctrp/index.html
The last play of the season for the Pittsburgh Lions quarterback, Joe Harris, at the end of his freshman year at Penn State, in his home state
The interviewer was asked how are they today by the host. It was likely his last interview before he died. His cause of death was not provided.
“Doing great. Though he was coughing, Harris said that it was fantastic. “And, like as you said, 50 years ago, and, and it still feels brand new.”
And I go into the huddle and I tell myself, ‘Franco, this will probably be the last play of the season. The season was a good one. Just play it till the end.’
Harris said that his thought was to release to be an outlet pass. “And Bradshaw, being as, you know, big and as strong as he is, you know, guys trying to bring him down, he’s able to fight them off and get the ball into the air.”
“That’s what Joe preached to us all four years at Penn State. You know, always go to the ball … And so I start taking some steps to the ball and I remember nothing after that… which blows my mind, that I have no visual, no recollection of anything until I am stiff arming (Raiders defender) Jimmy Warren, going into the end zone.”
Harris said it was important that he did not dive for the ball. In those days when a player hits the ground, he was out of the way and unable to move the ball.