“Hall of Fame player but so much more than that” – NFL world mourns Franco Harris’ death on eve of the Immaculate Reception anniversary

On Wednesday morning, the NFL world woke up to the sad news that Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris had passed away overnight. Harris' passing comes just four days before the Pittsburgh Steelers were set to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. The Steelers had also planned to retire Harris' iconic #32 Pittsburgh Steelers' jersey.

Former and current Pittsburgh Steelers players, analysts and NFL greats all took to social media to express their sympathies and the honor they had of knowing not only such a great football player but, especially, a great person.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers player and Super Bowl winning head coach Tony Dungy wrote that he was devastated by the news. He spoke about how Harris was a great person and teammate and that he was a role model for him.

"Woke up this morning to the devastating news that my friend Franco Harris passed away during the night. One of the kindest, gentlest men I have ever known. He was a great person & great teammate. Hall of Fame player but so much more than that. A tremendous role model for me!"

Super Bowl winner and now San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch called Franco a 'legend' and said that his generation of players grew up watching him. He said that he had the opportunity to meet Franco and that he was so impressed at how nice of a person he was and how good he was to other people.

"One of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He was so much apart of the NFL my generation grew up watching, a true legend. When I had the opportunity to meet Franco what always stood our was how good he was to everyone. God Bless and Rest in Peace Franco."

Pittsburgh Steelers second-year tight end Pat Freiermuth honored Franco by remembering how he was the one who announced his name at the NFL Draft in 2021. A fellow Penn Stater, he thanked him for the friendship the two had developed and for always being there for him.

"To the man who announced me as a Pittsburgh Steeler, May you Rest in Peace. Very thankful for our friendship and you always being there for me when I needed it. Penn State and Steeler Legend forever. May your legacy live on forever. RIP 32"

He was just 72 years old.

How long did Franco Harris play in the NFL?

After playing his collegiate football career for the Penn State Nittany Lions, running back Franco Harris was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft.

His rookie season will be remembered for the "Immaculate Reception."

During the play, quarterback Terry Bradshaw's pass to John Fuqua was deflected and ended up in the air. Harris was able to scoop it up before it hit the ground. He then ran it into the endzone for a touchdown, which allowed the Steelers to clinch the playoff win over the Raiders. He was also named Rookie of the Year that season.

He went on to play for the Steelers until 1983, winning four Super Bowls. He was also an NFL Man of the Year award recipient in 1976. He was named to the Pro Bowl nine times and was a first-team All-Pro in 1977. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.