Frank Harrislegendary runner who shone in the 70s and 80s in his hands Pittsburgh Steelers (also played one season in Seattle), He died today, Wednesday, December 21 at the age of 72..
The Saturday, December 24Harris was about to receive the highest honor a former Steelers can receive: the removing his shirt (number 32), recalling that the Pittsburgh franchise he has just retired two numbers formally, as 70 by Ernie Stautner and 75 by Joe Greene.
Since both Greene and Stautner were defensive legends, Harris’ 32, a Hall of Famer since 1990, will be the first issue of a retired Steelers offensive lineman.
When talking about Harris’ legacy, one could mention his own four Super Bowls won (all with Pittsburgh between 1974 and 1979), their nine Pro Bowls or its position within The top 15 players of all time with the most rushing yards. However, there is no doubt that his name has been primarily associated with one project in particular, recently He was selected by the NFL as the greatest of all time.
We are, of course, talking about perfect welcome.
How was the flawless reception of Franco Harris?
Contrary to what many believe, this unforgettable action did not take place in the Super Bowl, but in the divisional round. It also didn’t come in a Steelers championship year either, as it did in the postseason of one 1972 campaign in which Pittsburgh ended up falling in the next round against the Miami Dolphins.
But what exactly happened? The Steelers lost to the Raiders 7-6 in the final seconds of the Divisional round, when the Pittsburgh quarterback, Terry Bradshawtry a long and desperate passage under threat of arrest, for the recipient John Fuqua. However, there was depth Jack Tatum to crash into Fuqua in time to cause what looked like an incomplete pass.
Of course, Harris, then a rookie, had other intentions: before the ball touched the grass, he took the ball running and to the surprise of locals and strangers (including the cameraman), he wrote what would be Game-winning touchdown for the Steelersin a move that quickly got his name perfect welcome.
Legendary Steelers RB Franco Harris, author of “Immaculate Reception” — one of the greatest works in NFL history — has died at age 72.
A 4-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame player and a person adored by so many.
RIP.pic.twitter.com/hUERPwHVwo
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 21, 2022
the action It caused a lot of controversy back then. and its legitimacy is still debated today: there are those who believe that the oval has arrived touch the grass before it was claimed by Harris and others who support it he was his partner Fuqua deflecting the ballwhich until then would have resulted in an incomplete pass.
But beyond the controversies, the truth is this The touchdown of Harris counted and with her he secured early in his career a position in the the greatest nfl story.
