Franco Harris fans remember on-field finesse, off-field generosity

Longtime Steelers fan George Muentzer has missed the chance to have his prized photo of Franco Harris autographed by the Steelers Hall of Famer, whose unexpected death overnight was reported Wednesday.

But he still can treasure his many memories of encounters with Harris during his faithful yearly attendance at the Steelers summer training camp at Saint Vincent College in Unity.

“He was wonderful,” said Muentzer, 70, of Hempfield. “It was his personality. He loved the fans, especially the kids.

“The kids would come up, and he’d stop and get his picture taken with them and shake their hand. He high-fived me a couple of times. I’d see him and say, ‘Way to go, Franco.’”

Even students who weren’t alive when Harris played said he was, nonetheless, a role model.

“He was a legend in Pittsburgh and an idol to many kids. It’s sad for him to be gone,” said Leechburg Area High School football player Tyler Villa.

“It’s a sad day for Steelers Nation. Harris is the all-time rushing leader in Steelers’ history. He’s a legend and will be missed,” said Tyler Foley, also a Leechburg Area High School football player.

Harris also left a strong impression with Muentzer for his abilities on the game field and in practice sessions.

“He was very agile on his feet,” Muentzer said. “He’d bounce off an end and take off, and he would make (opposing players) miss.”

One of his favorite memories from camp is of Harris’ interaction with another Steelers legend, late team commentator Myron Cope.

Cope was watching a practice from the sidelines while sitting on an upturned bucket, Muentzer recalled.

Franco Harris dies:

• Steelers great Franco Harris dies at age 72
• Terry Bradshaw’s memories of Franco Harris ‘all good stuff’
• Photos: Franco Harris through the years
• Steelers players, fans remember Franco Harris
• Greensburg's Dick Hoak recalls Franco Harris' early days with the Steelers
• Video: 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception

“It was a full-contact drill, and Franco bounced off the right side,” he said. “Myron thought he was going to hit him and rolled off the bucket.

“Franco started laughing and said, ‘I never would hurt you, Myron.’ He grabbed Myron to help him up, and Myron was so short, he almost pulled him up off his feet.”

Muentzer was shocked when he heard a news report of Harris’ death on Wednesday morning.

So was Al Vento when he received a text message from a friend sharing the bad news.

“I just went nuts. It totally blew me away,” said Vento, who noted the added heartbreak that the death came just before Harris was slated to participate in events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. In that play on Dec. 23, 1972, Harris scooped up a deflected pass for a winning 42-yard touchdown in a playoff game against the Raiders, then based in Oakland.

“I wish he would have been able to get his accolades that were about to come to him,” Vento said. “I guess he lived his life and the maker said, ‘You’ve done enough good. It’s time for you to rest.’

“It’s not an ending because we’ll never forget him.”

Vento, 67, who runs Vento’s Pizza in East Liberty, was a member of the lively fan club Franco’s Italian Army that was formed by his late father, Al, and a relative, Tony Stagno, to cheer on the Steelers and Harris during games and to celebrate the Italian heritage they had in common with the running back.

Harris was appreciative of the club members, as he was of all fans, said Vento, who on Wednesday honored Harris by donning a favorite shirt the player had signed.

“Franco was just a really great guy,” Vento said. “He was so congenial with people. He never walked away from a fan. Without question, he was a great athlete, and he was also a great humanitarian.”

Vento cherishes memories of Harris making time on a Christmas Day to visit his father in the hospital and, more recently, of Harris joining him for a pizza tailgate feast on an “Immaculate Reception” anniversary, when indoor dining at Vento’s restaurant was prohibited under covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Just days ago, Vento said, Harris graciously signed a ticket a friend of Vento had saved from the 1972 “Immaculate Reception” game.

“He exemplified what it was to be a true Steeler,” Vento said.

Many fans remember Harris as a sort of “everyman,” rarely turning away fans while he was out and about in the region. His friendly demeanor and willingness to talk, sign an autograph or take a photo stuck with many.

“I idolized him as a young boy as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” said Eric Vukmir of O’Hara, who met Harris by chance in October while visiting Bloomfield with his daughter. “He was an icon and legend in this city. He took the time to spend a few minutes with my daughter and it was absolutely an honor and privilege to meet him.”

Fallowfield resident and Steelers fan Stephen Balko was looking forward to Harris being present for the Immaculate Reception anniversary celebration.

“It was surprising to see him go,” Balko, 57, said of Harris’ death. “He was still making appearances, and he looked good.

“I was really counting on seeing him speak and reflect on those days. I’ve been watching a clip of that play over and over again, how beautifully it was executed.”

Courtesy Eric Vukmir

Eric Vukmir of O’Hara and his daughter, Ava, pose with Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris in October.

When ranking the Steelers all-time greats, Balko would place Harris at No. 2 — just after former quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

But Balko acknowledged that, for many, Harris was second to none.

“He was a very generous and open person,” Balko said. “He cared about people and took the time to help a lot of people.”

Balko has a shirt signed by Harris, whom he met during a 1970s event at The Meadows in Washington County.

“He was a very nice man and a very good player,” Balko said. “You could always count on good old No. 32.”

“Franco was unique unto himself,” said Don Zadach, 64, of Jefferson Hills, who praised Harris for his charitable and community efforts. “As good as he was as a player, you can multiply that by 10 times for the person he was off the field.”

A dedicated Steelers fan, Zadach has become known as “Pope Yinzer” for his appearances at games in a handcrafted black-and-gold costume with a papal theme.

Zadach saw Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” play out on television. Because the home game wasn’t aired on any Pittsburgh station, he drove more than 100 miles north to catch the telecast on a Cleveland channel he was able to receive in his family’s cabin at Pymatuning Lake.

He hasn’t had to travel as far to meet Harris in person. He’s attended past tapings of a local Steelers television talk show where Harris was a guest.

Recently, he shook hands with Harris and got his autograph when Harris appeared at a supermarket to promote sales of an “Immaculate Marina” pasta sauce that supports the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation and other Pittsburgh charities.

“He was so kind and courteous,” Zadach said. “Losing him is like losing a president of the United States.”

Staff writer Joyce Hanz contributed to this story.