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How did Franco Harris die? Hall of Fame Steelers running back famed for 'immaculate reception' was 72

Franco Harris died days before the 50th anniversary celebration of The Immaculate Reception at Acrisure Stadium

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: NFL legend and the Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Franco Harris, has reportedly died on Wednesday, December 21, at the age of 72. The news of his death has been confirmed by his son, Dok Harris. However, how he died has not been confirmed yet. As per reports, Franco died days before the 50th anniversary celebration of The Immaculate Reception at Acrisure Stadium.

He is reportedly called the father of it because according to Urban Dictionary, during a December 23, 1972 game when “Terry Bradshaw threw a pass intended for John Fuqua. Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum reach[ed] Fuqua when the ball did, and the ball deflected from him. Just as the ball seemed to slip to the ground, Steelers running back Franco Harris scooped up the ball when it was less than an inch from the ground, and ran it into the endzone to end the game.”

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Mike Tomlin, the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, mentioned Franco's iconic play while addressing the media on December 19. He reportedly said, “I was in Section 135 that day. I was eight months old. I think it's funny. Surprisingly, I’ve probably met 75,000 people that were there that day. It's just one of those beautiful things in the history of our game. It’s humbling to be in close proximity to it, to work for this organization, to understand its impact on this organization, the career it spawned in Franco [Harris], a gold-jacket career, what it did for them that season in terms of changing the trajectory of that season, what it’s done for this franchise …”

Tomlin added, “There are many things that make it the play that it is and the most significant play in the history of our game. It’s just an honor to be in proximity to it. To know the man involved, to call Pittsburgh home, and so it's awesome to be a part of and to witness. But at the same time, we understand that we've got business, we’ve got present-day business and the best way we can honor him and that is by performing. We're going to work extremely hard to prepare ourselves leading up to it.”

Reportedly, Franco played for over a decade in the NFL — 12 with the Steelers, conquering four Super Bowl rings, and one with the Seattle Seahawks. He retired from the games in 1984 and six years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fox News reported that “he was a nine-time Pro Bowler and was an All-Pro once. He was the Super Bowl IX MVP and had eight seasons of 1,000 or more rushing yards.”

Following Franco’s death, Field Yates tweeted, “Legendary Steelers RB Franco Harris, author of the ‘Immaculate Reception’ - one of the greatest plays in NFL history - has passed away at the age of 72. A 4-time Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame player and revered individual by so many. RIP.” KC Joyner shared, “Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Only a couple of days before he'd get to enjoy the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. RIP to an all-time legend.” A fan wrote, “Timing couldn’t be any worse with the Steelers/Raiders game this weekend. RIP to an absolute LEGEND of the game.” Another fan added, “That's crushing. I did not like 70s Steelers but Franco one my all time favorites. HOF'er but still underrated.”

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