Franco Harris is a name that will forever be remembered in the annals of football history. As a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harris helped lead his team to four Super Bowl victories and cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1950 and attended Penn State University, where he played college football. He was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft and quickly made an impact on the field.
During his time with the Steelers, Harris became known for his powerful running style and his ability to break tackles and pick up extra yardage. He was a key member of the Steelers' "Steel Curtain" defense and helped lead the team to its first Super Bowl victory in 1975.
Over the course of his career, Harris amassed over 12,000 rushing yards and scored 91 touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team. In 1990, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Despite his impressive on-field accomplishments, Harris is perhaps best known for his iconic play in the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders. With time running out in the fourth quarter, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched a long pass down the field, which was deflected by Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum. Harris, who was trailing the play, managed to catch the ball and then ran it in for a touchdown, securing a 13-7 victory for the Steelers. The play, known as the "Immaculate Reception," is considered one of the greatest plays in NFL history.
Harris retired from the NFL in 1984 and has remained active in the community, supporting various charitable causes and working as a business executive. His contributions to the game of football will not be forgotten, and he will always be remembered as one of the all-time greats.
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