Pittsburgh Review

Franco Harris, a name synonymous with one of the most iconic moments in NFL history, began his professional career when he was selected in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. His legacy is cemented by what many consider to be the greatest play in NFL history, known as the Immaculate Reception.

In 2022, reflecting on that momentous event just before his passing and ahead of its 50th anniversary, Harris stated: "It's still as exciting. If you look at the season we had in 1972, after the first 40 years of the franchise, and then to have the incredible season, the team's first playoff win and to win that first one in dramatic fashion really started to change a lot of things."

Harris highlighted how this pivotal play set a precedent for future successes: "What really made it special and big was the decade that was to come and the importance of the play, setting the tone for winning. We proved that no matter how dire the situation, we can win. All of the things that followed made that play so big and important in Steelers history."

Drafted from Penn State as their first-round pick and 13th overall selection, Harris quickly established himself as a force on the field. He concluded his rookie year with impressive statistics—1,055 rushing yards and ten touchdowns.

Throughout his twelve-season tenure with Pittsburgh, Harris played an integral role in four Super Bowl-winning teams. He became known for his powerful running style while also contributing significantly to passing plays.

By retirement, Harris had amassed several records with Pittsburgh. He remains their all-time leading rusher with 11,950 yards and holds a record of 91 rushing touchdowns. His career included eight seasons where he rushed over 1,000 yards each time and achieved over 100 yards rushing in 47 games. Additionally, he recorded 307 receptions totaling 2,287 yards which contributed to his net yardage reaching third highest at retirement with a total of 14,622 yards.