Steelers to retire Franco Harris' No. 32 during 50th anniversary of Immaculate Reception

The author of the greatest play in NFL history will have another immaculate moment to celebrate this winter.

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Pittsburgh Steelers will retire uniform No. 32 worn by Franco Harris, the team’s Hall of Fame running back.

Harris’ number will be retired at halftime of the team’s Dec. 24 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium

The Steelers made the announcement Tuesday at a news conference at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Harris attended with his wife, Dana, and son Franco “Dok” Harris.

“What can I say but wow,” Harris said. “I am blown away. … I know this consideration was a tough one because I know there are a number of players that could have been honored.”

Harris’ shoe-top catch of a deflected pass in the final seconds of a Dec. 23, 1972 playoff game propelled the Steelers to a stunning 13-7 victory against the Oakland Raiders. It was the first playoff win in franchise history and set the stage for the Steelers’ dominance in that decade with four Super Bowl championships in a six-year span.

Since Harris left the Steelers in 1984, the organization never has given his number to another player. Now, the Steelers never will.

“It is a long-overdue jersey retirement given Franco’s remarkable accomplishments to the team of the decade,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “Many have said, and I agree, that the Immaculate Reception marked the turning point of franchise history. My grandfather once was quoted as saying, ‘Before Franco got here, we didn’t win much. Since he got here, we don’t lose.’

“I think that sums it up pretty good.”

Harris’ number will be just the third retired in franchise history. Ernie Stautner’s No. 70 was retired in 1964, and Joe Greene had his No. 75 retired in 2014.

Harris was not expecting to join the list, but he acknowledged it was “about time” an offensive player was recognized by the organization. He also was humbled by the honor.

“It’s like giving you flowers while you’re still around to smell them,” he said.

Rooney II said the decision to retire Harris’ number doesn’t necessarily open the door for Hall of Famer players from the 1970s such as Terry Bradshaw, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert and Jack Ham to get a similar recognition.

“It’s the appropriate time,” Rooney said. “We’ll probably take our time making decisions on the rest.”

Harris’ arrival as the team’s first-round draft pick in 1972 coincided with the most dominant era in franchise history. In his third season, the Steelers won their first of four Super Bowl titles in the decade, and he was named game MVP after rushing for a then-record 158 yards in a 16-6 victory against the Minnesota Vikings.

Harris rushed for 12,120 yards in his 13-year NFL career, the first 12 of which he spent with the Steelers. When he retired, Harris was the NFL’s third-leading rusher behind Jim Brown and Walter Payton. Harris’ total remains No. 15 on the all-time rushing list.

“I share this honor with my teammates, my coaches, the folks in the front office and the locker room and equipment personnel,” Harris said.

The Immaculate Reception was voted the NFL’s greatest play in 2019 when the league celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Steelers, having given up a late touchdown run by Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, trailed 7-6 with 22 seconds left and faced a fourth-and-10 from their 40.

Bradshaw zipped a pass downfield to John “Frenchy” Fuqua, who collided with Raiders safety Jack Tatum as the ball arrived. Contact by Fuqua would have made the play ineligible. The ball ricocheted to the feet of Harris, who scooped it before it hit the Three Rivers Stadium turf and ran down the sideline for the winning touchdown.

“When I left the backfield, I remember telling myself, ‘Franco, go to the ball,’” Harris said.

The rest is a haze.

“I try to remember, but after taking those couple of steps, I remember nothing,” Harris said. “The only thing I remember is stiff-arming Jimmy Warren going into the end zone. That is my first memory after leaving the backfield. I don’t remember seeing the ball. I don’t remember seeing a collision. I don’t remember anything.”

On Dec. 23, the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Steelers will conduct a ceremony at 3:29 p.m. — the time that Harris made his game-winning catch — at the marker commemorating the play that is located outside Acrisure Stadium.

An audio recording of the radio broadcast will be played. Fuqua has been invited to the ceremony. Former Raiders players Phil Villapiano and Mike Siani are expected to attend. Tatum died in 2010.

“Over the years, most of them have gotten over it and kind of enjoy it,” Rooney said. “I don’t think (late owner) Al (Davis) or (coach) John Madden got over it, but I think the rest of them have a tiny sense of humor about it and will be good sports.”

The following day, the Steelers will wear a commemorative patch recognizing Harris during their game against the Raiders.

#Steelers President Art Rooney II just announced that @francoharrishof's No. 32 will be retired by the team at halftime of our Week 16 game against the Raiders. pic.twitter.com/5KYLOxVLsR

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 6, 2022