Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-Of-Famer Franco Harris Dies

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PITTSBURGH, PA — Steelers Hall-of-Fame running back Franco Harris has died, family members said. He was 72.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

Harris was an integral part of the Steelers 1970s dynasty that saw the team win four Super Bowl championships. He was named the most valuable player in Super Bowl IX after rushing for 158 yards as the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings for their first NFL title.

Harris died just days before the Steelers were set to retire his number during halftime of their game with the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

Widely considered the greatest play in NFL history, Harris caught a deflected pass and the ensuing touchdown gave the Steelers a last-second victory over the then-Oakland Raiders and sent the team to its first AFC championship game.

Steelers owner Art Rooney II offered this statement on Harris:

After playing college football at Penn State, Harris was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft. He played for the team for 12 years before spending his final season with the Seattle Seahawks. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

“The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today,” Hall President Jim Porter said Wednesday.

“We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet. Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in
profoundly positive ways."

According to the Hall of Fame, Harris rushed for 1,000 yards or more eight seasons and for more than 100 yards in 47 games. He also caught 307 passes for 2,287 yards and nine touchdowns. His career rushing total and his combined net yardage figure of 14,622 both ranked as the third highest marks in NFL history at the time of his retirement.

Harris was a first- or second-team All-Pro six times and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. He played in five AFC championship games.

Harris is survived by his wife, Dana Dokmanovich and his son, Dok.