Steelers

Photos: Steelers great Franco Harris through the years

Tribune-Review
By Tribune-Review
1 Min Read • Dec. 21, 2022 | 3 years Ago
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Slide 1
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris’ jersey, No. 32, will be retired during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception when the Steelers play the Las Vegas Raiders Dec. 24, 2022.
Slide 2
Tribune-Review file
Former Pittsburgh Steelers teammates Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris, and Terry Bradshaw share a laugh at Heinz Field during a halftime celebration of the Steelers 75th Anniversary team on Nov. 5, 2007.
Slide 3
Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review
Franco Harris gestures a reenactment of the immaculate reception at the John Heinz History Center on Oct. 13, 2022, during a press conference announcing the fiftieth anniversary of the immaculate reception that is considered the histories most famous sports play.
Slide 4
Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review
Franco Harris holds the original football from the immaculate reception during a press conference at the John Heinz History Center on Oct. 13, 2022.
Slide 5
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris speaks after a tour of the Hall of Honor Museum on Nov. 10, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium.
Slide 6
North Allegheny School District
Former Steeler Franco Harris talks to students at Ingomar Middle School on Dec. 12, 2022 about his famous Immaculate Reception on Dec. 23, 1972.
Slide 7
North Allegheny School District
Franco Harris and Ingomar Middle School Principal Dave Deramo talk to students on Dec. 12, 2022 about one of the most famed plays in all of football — Harris’s Immaculate Reception on Dec. 23, 1972.
Slide 8
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II announced that Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris’ jersey, No. 32, will be retired during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception when the Steelers play the Las Vegas Raiders Dec. 24, 2022.
Slide 9
Franco Harris Instagram
In a photo posted to Instagram, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris recreates his iconic catch at the Pittsburgh International Airport on March 30, 2019.
Slide 10
AP
In this Dec. 23, 1972, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Franco Harris eludes a tackle by Oakland Raiders’ Jimmy Warren as he runs 42-yards for a touchdown after catching a deflected pass during an AFC Divisional NFL football playoff game in Pittsburgh. Harris’ scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown, forever known as the Immaculate Reception.
Slide 11
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back Franco Harris pushes through a weight lifting routine as part of his training in Pittsburgh on Nov. 29, 1972.
Slide 12
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers Lynn Swann (88), John Stallworth (82) and Franco Harris (32) watch field action while Steelers defensive unit takes on the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl XIV at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 20, 1980. The Steelers defeated the Rams 31-19.
Slide 13
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) carries ball as quarterback Terry Bradshaw (12) and Sidney Thornton (38) raise their arms in victory after Harris scored Steelers’ final touchdown in fourth quarter in Super Bowl XIV game at Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, Ca., on Jan. 20, 1980. The Steelers beat the Los Angeles Rams 31-19, winning their fourth Super Bowl.
Slide 14
Getty
Running back Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches the action during a game against the New England Patriots at Three Rivers Stadium on Sept. 25, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Slide 15
Tribune-Review file
Former Steelers player Franco Harris speaks to the crowd gathered for a peace and unity rally at Point State Park on Nov. 9, 2018.
Slide 16
Getty
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and MVP of Super Bowl IX Franco Harris waves a Terrible Towel as he is introduced before Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Steelers at Ford Field on Feb. 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan.
Slide 17
Tribune-Review file
Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Franco Harris talks outside St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland after attending the funeral of legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll on Tuesday, June 17, 2014.
Slide 18
Tribune-Review file
Former Steelers players Tunch Ilkin and Franco Harris embrace following funeral services for coach Chuck Noll at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland following his funeral service on June 17, 2014.
Slide 19
Tribune-Review file
Nadine Bognar, owner of Bognar and Company and philanthropist, and Franco Harris at The Pittsburgh Public Theater take a bow gala pn April 28, 2013.
Slide 20
Tribune-Review file
Former Steelers running back Franco Harris led a second line parade with Brenda Frazier during A Night of a Million Possibilities Featuring Wynton Marsalis to benefit the Pittsburgh Promise at the Wyndham Grand in Downtown Pittsburgh on Nov. 10, 2016.
Slide 21
Tribune-Review file
Scott Walton, Head chef of Heinz Field, and Franco Harris discuss the new sandwiches featuring “Franco’s Italian Army Gridiron Sausages” in the Hyundai Club inside the football stadium on the North Side on Sept. 15, 2016.
Slide 22
Tribune-Review file
Scott Walton, head chef of Heinz Field, and Franco Harris show off the new sandwiches featuring “Franco’s Italian Army Gridiron Sausages” in the Hyundai Club inside the football stadium on the North Side on Sept. 15, 2016.
Slide 23
Tribune-Review file
Former Steelers running back Franco Harris joined winemaker Duane Rieder during the 2014 Napa Cabernet Release and Barrel Tasting patry at Vines by Hines Ward Wine Bar in Cranberry Township on Aug. 17, 2016.
Slide 24
Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton shakes hands with supporters as she steps on stage alongside NFL Hall of Famers Mel Blount and Franco Harris during a rally inside the Great Hall at Heinz Field on Nov. 4, 2016.
Slide 25
Tribune-Review file
Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris meets President Barack Obama after a panel on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University during the White House Frontiers in Oakland on Oct. 13, 2016.
Slide 26
Tribune-Review file
Hines Ward and Franco Harris during the Official Hines Ward Retirement Party at the Rivers Casino.
Slide 27
Getty
Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris tosses a football before the start on the of 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on Jan. 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh.
Slide 28
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris runs 25 yards to score a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders at the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh, Jan. 4, 1976.
Slide 29
Tribune-Review file
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl gets a high-five from former Pittsburgh Steeler and Hall of Famer Franco Harris after he reveals his new jersey after changing his name to Steelerstahl at a Steelers rally held at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown on Jan. 16, 2009.
Slide 30
Tribune-Review file
Former Pittsburgh Steeler and Hall of Famer Franco Harris addresses the crowd at a Steelers rally held at the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown on Jan. 16, 2009.
Slide 31
Tribune-Review file
Former Pittsburgh Steelers players Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris, and Terry Bradshaw at Heinz Field during a halftime celebration of the Steelers 75th Anniversary team on Nov. 5, 2007.
Slide 32
AP
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., accompanied by former Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football players Jerome Bettis, centre, and Franco Harris, holds up a towel as they leave the Soldiers and Sailors Museum and Memorial in Pittsburgh, Friday, March 28, 2008.
Slide 33
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers Franco Harris, Terry Bradshaw and Gerry Mullins, left to right, get together after the team’s arrival at the Long Beach Airport, Jan. 14, 1980. The Steelers will meet the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl next Sunday.
Slide 34
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris speaks during the tour of the Steelers Hall of Honor on Nov. 10, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium. Former Steeler Franco Harris speaks during the tour of the Steelers Hall of Honor tour, Nov. 10, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium.

Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris has died, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the play considered the greatest in NFL history.

Harris was 72.

Harris served as the face of the franchise for many years following his retirement from his playing days.

Here’s a collection of photos from throughout the years.

Related:
• Steelers great Franco Harris dies at age 72
• Video: 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception

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