Franco Harris, Steeler Who Caught Immaculate Reception, Dies
December 21, 2022 9:26AM PST
Credit: MGN
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris has died.
He was 72.
Harris’ heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception.”
It is considered the most iconic play in NFL history.
Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s.
The team’s dynasty began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.
His catch and run off a deflected pass gave the Steelers their first-ever playoff win and is forever immortalized as “The Immaculate Reception.”
Harris’ son, Dok, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his father died overnight.
No cause of death was given.
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