Steelers Legend, NFL Corridor of Famer Franco Harris Useless At 72

Franco Harris — a Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer and some of the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers of all time — has died … his household introduced Wednesday.

He was 72 years outdated.

A reason behind loss of life has but to be revealed … although the Harris household stated he handed away in a single day.

“All the staff on the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame is immensely saddened right now,” Corridor of Fame president Jim Porter stated Wednesday morning in an announcement.

“We’ve got misplaced an unimaginable soccer participant, an unimaginable ambassador to the Corridor and, most significantly, we now have misplaced one of many most interesting gents anybody will ever meet. Franco not solely impacted the sport of soccer, however he additionally affected the lives of many, many individuals in profoundly constructive methods.”

Harris was taken by the Steelers within the first spherical of the 1972 NFL Draft … and it did not take lengthy for him to develop into an enormous star. In his rookie season, he ran for 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns, making the Professional Bowl staff whereas profitable Rookie of the Yr honors.

Harris went on to make eight extra Professional Bowls with the Steelers … and ended up profitable 4 Tremendous Bowls with the staff. In SB IX, he was named MVP.

In his profession, Harris rushed for 12,120 yards and 91 TDs, whereas including 2,287 yards and 9 TDs receiving. He was inducted into the Corridor of Fame in 1990.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound operating again, although, is most well-known for his position within the “Immaculate Reception” — a wild play in a 1972 AFC divisional spherical playoff recreation towards the Raiders that many contemplate one of many biggest moments in NFL historical past.

Through the play, the Steelers have been down 7-6 on fourth down with simply 22 seconds left within the recreation. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw heaved a cross that was in the end deflected backward — proper into Harris’ ready arms.

Harris then ran it in for the game-winning rating.

Harris was set to be honored by the Steelers simply someday after the fiftieth anniversary of the play … with Pittsburgh formally retiring his No. 32 on Saturday throughout its recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders.

“Phrases can’t start to explain the ache I’m feeling,” former Steelers operating again Jerome Bettis stated following Franco’s loss of life Wednesday. “Franco will all the time be a brother, mentor and my definition of greatness. He was a legend on the sector and the personification of excellence off of the sector — A real class act to look as much as and aspire to be like.”