No link but WTAE Pittsburgh reporting.
Franco Harris has passed…
- Thread starter steelrazor
- Start date
Just days before the 50yr celebration
Damn, great Steeler and PSU ambassador.
Terrific human being and football player.
Terrific human being and football player.
Thus one really hurts. A great man. Great Steeler and PSU player and ambassador. I was just in Pittsburgh and saw some Franco "Immaculate Marinara" so bought 6 jars.
I'm rarely for teams putting a decal on a helmet or patch on a jersey for something but I'd be ok with this one for the Rose Bowl.
Stunning news.
Was super privileged to sit next to him watching the Auburn game in September…talked about the Immaculate Reception, Joe, the AFC Championship game in 1972 against Miami, and just life in general.
Devastating to lose such a great humanitarian, Steeler, and Penn State stalwart/warrior.
I last saw him at PSU just before COVID hit. He was with Sue giving specially constructed bicycles away to kids with Autism. That's how I'll remember Franco.
I ran or should say almost got run over by Franco in the Grant Building about thirty years ago. Was walking off the elevator when Franco was walking in but we must have both been in a hurry when he almost ran into me. I'm 70 inches tall and 180 pounds and it surprised me how big he was up that close. And then I remember thinking, how TF did a DB my size ever tackle this guy, RIP
Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored “The Immaculate Reception,” considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72. Harris' son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight.
apnews.com
This one does hurt. Gone way too soon.
To hell with the Immaculate Reception. I remember Franco saving the undefeated season of 1969. First at Syracuse, a bad team. Bob Parsons the punter would often outkick his coverage. Franco was the safety valve of the punting team and several times he made the saving tackle on a little guy named Eric Allen. The good side of special teams were block FGs during the game. Nevertheless, PSU trailing 14-0 to this horrible team. Then came Franco on sweep after sweep and he was unstoppable. He eventually scored the winning two point conversion to allow that 15-14 win. The streak was protected.
Now we come to the Orange Bowl. Parsons booming his punts and Franco making saving tackles on Jon Staggers, an eventual Steeler. The defense held all day leading to a 10-3 victory.
Others may argue, but I'm telling you he saved the perfect season that year
Now we come to the Orange Bowl. Parsons booming his punts and Franco making saving tackles on Jon Staggers, an eventual Steeler. The defense held all day leading to a 10-3 victory.
Others may argue, but I'm telling you he saved the perfect season that year
Not only a great player for PSU and the Steelers, but Franco Harris stood up for Joe Paterno when not many people were.
So sorry for my PSU friends. A devastating loss. One of my all-time favorite Steelers. So cruel that he couldn’t make it a few more days at the very least. May he rest in peace.
Franco knew Joe and his greatness and integrity. Franco never wavered. Want to affirm that Joe would NEVER do what some accuse him (turning a blind eye to abuse to “protect football”)? Listen to a man of equal integrity - Franco Harris.
RIP Franco!
Very sad day. Always a class act and one of the all time greats on and off the field. He will be missed by all.
OldiesAtTheGaff
Well-Known Member
Thank you Franco for all
of the memories, BOTH
bl💙e & wh🤍te and bl🖤ck & g💛ld
of the memories, BOTH
bl💙e & wh🤍te and bl🖤ck & g💛ld
Crushing. I met him and Lydell at a party during their freshman year (1968). They seemed wise beyond their years. Freshmen weren't eligible then so I didn't get to see them play until the next year. The rest is history.
RIP Franco; you made us proud - on and off the field.
RIP Franco; you made us proud - on and off the field.
I met Franco in 2018 during (I think) the Iowa game. It was kind of cold and rainy. My daughter wanted to get out of the weather, so she asked if we could go for a snack.
We were walking around the ground level between the tunnel and student gate looking at the photos of former Penn State greats. I was naming the guys on the wall when I said…there’s Franco Harris. She looks around for his photo on the wall until she realized Franco was standing about 15 feet away. Franco sees her, smiles at us, walks over and starts talking to us and poses for a photo with her. My daughter tells him that he was a childhood hero of mine, so he insisted on getting a photo with me too.
A great memory. I was struck by the fact that he actually approached us when he saw the excitement on my daughter’s face.
We were walking around the ground level between the tunnel and student gate looking at the photos of former Penn State greats. I was naming the guys on the wall when I said…there’s Franco Harris. She looks around for his photo on the wall until she realized Franco was standing about 15 feet away. Franco sees her, smiles at us, walks over and starts talking to us and poses for a photo with her. My daughter tells him that he was a childhood hero of mine, so he insisted on getting a photo with me too.
A great memory. I was struck by the fact that he actually approached us when he saw the excitement on my daughter’s face.
..and today is Joe Paterno's birthday.
- Letter of Intent Day
- Joe's birthday
- Franco's passing
- 50th Anniversary of the Immaculate Reception day after tomorrow
Franco was truly am amazing person, far beyond the football field. He loved the city of Pittsburgh as much as its people loved him. He worked tirelessly for multiple charities, lobbied politicians and corporate execs, and represented the city better…..and did more for it ……then anyone in my lifetime.
Saturday night was going to be a love fest when they retired his jersey for the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Now it will be one of the saddest days in Pittsburgh history.
RIP Franco. A life well lived.
Saturday night was going to be a love fest when they retired his jersey for the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Now it will be one of the saddest days in Pittsburgh history.
RIP Franco. A life well lived.
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I had two encounters with Franco Harris when we attended Penn State. Both illustrate what an unassuming person he was.
The first was at a keg party my roommates and I threw to raise some rent money. Franco showed up and spent most of his time sitting on the floor, playing with my kittens.
The other time involved my job as a night receptionist in a women's dormitory. It was a Friday night before a game and Franco came to see the woman he would eventually marry. Men had to sign in before being escorted upstairs by the person they were visiting. Franco did not use his name. This was probably because he should not have been out. It's comical that he thought nobody on campus would recognize him, but he didn't consider himself to be anyone special.
Pittsburgh and Nittany Nation will miss him and his big heart.
The first was at a keg party my roommates and I threw to raise some rent money. Franco showed up and spent most of his time sitting on the floor, playing with my kittens.
The other time involved my job as a night receptionist in a women's dormitory. It was a Friday night before a game and Franco came to see the woman he would eventually marry. Men had to sign in before being escorted upstairs by the person they were visiting. Franco did not use his name. This was probably because he should not have been out. It's comical that he thought nobody on campus would recognize him, but he didn't consider himself to be anyone special.
Pittsburgh and Nittany Nation will miss him and his big heart.
He wanted to give Joe a present personally I guess
He was such a gentle and peaceful soul. He spoke quietly and softly….yet played in a violent sport.
Always knew he was Italian and Black, just heard he was also part Cherokee. Maybe it was that native mindset that inspired his humble and gentle nature.
I always thought he was Irish and his name was "Frank O'Harris".
Don’t go over to the LIAR. They are joking about and celebrating Franco’s passing. Some moron (Brian Brush Fan) even wrote a poem celebrating it. Disgusting people over there.
This really sucks!
I knew Franco a little from PSU. I played in a lot of pick-up B-ball games in Rec Hall and Franco sometimes played. He did not play the way we first expected. He never threw his bulk around under the boards. He mostly played a guard type game. And he was very good.
I can still remember exactly where I was when the Immaculate Reception happened. Like it was yesterday.
I am not one to idolize celebrities, but Franco had my utmost respect as a player, an alum, a business man, and especially for his support of Paterno.
Rest in peace, Franco.
The moderators who are allowing that garbage to stay up are the truly disgusting people.
I was at the Northwestern game in 96 with my then 14 year old son. It was cold as hell, temps in the 20's with a constant 23-30 MPH wind out of the north. Before we went up to our seats, I asked him if he wanted anything before we went up. He said he wanted a drink so I found the nearest stand and waited my turn. As I was standing there, I did notice this large gentleman standing next to me. When I turned and got a good look, I realized I was standing next to Franco Harris. As I was thinking of something to say without embarrassing myself, I noticed he was there with several other people and he was ordering food and drinks for them. I had heard how people don't like to be bothered while eating, so I told myself to be quiet and just relish the moment, which is what I did. I also remember attending a game where they honored the 71 team. With all the different position players lined up on the north end zone goal line, he had the biggest shoulders of everyone there.
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In all fairness they are getting called out for doing that by other fans. But yes a few of them are being real sickos
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Watched Franco, Sugar Bear Crowder, Capoiletti, and other greats while I played soccer, baseball, and volleyball.
A sore loss, 2 years older than me.
A sore loss, 2 years older than me.
