Who was Franco Harris' wife? Late NFL Hall of Famer, 72, met love of his life in college
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: Franco Harris, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has died at the age of 72, on Wednesday, December 21, according to reports. Dok, Franco Harris's son, confirmed his death saying that his father had died in his sleep. However, no cause of death was given. Harris is survived by his wife and son.
Harris's demise comes only two days before the 50th anniversary of his 'Immaculate Reception' catch — the play that helped earn the Steelers their first-ever playoff victory and is widely regarded as the best in league history. Pittsburgh is set to retire his No.32 jersey in three days at halftime of their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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As fans and friends remember Franco Harris, we look back at his early days with his wife, Dana, and his son, Dok, who has made Pittsburgh his home.
Who was Franco Harris' wife?
Franco Harris was married to Dana Dokmanovich. According to Sports Illustrated, the couple met in college, fell in love and stayed together ever since. Franco Harris went to Penn State University, which was also Dana Dokmanovich's alma mater. Harris always referred to Dokmanovich as his "wife," however it is unclear whether they ever married. They hadn't done so in August 1982, nearly a decade into their relationship, as reported by GHLINKS.
Dana Dokmanovich is of Serbian heritage, according to Blount Jr's book. She came to the United States as a child and had little recollection of her European background. In the 1980s, Dokmanovich worked as an Eastern Airlines flight attendant. Dana's mother, Bess Dokmanovich, lived in Pittsburgh with the couple and their son, Dok. She describes herself as "Franco's mother-in-law-so-to-speak," and she also served as his secretary.
In 1968, Harris graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in New Jersey. He enrolled at Penn State the next year and graduated in the early 1970s. Harris was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft. He would spend the following 11 years with the Steelers, as per reported by New Jersey 101.5 News.
Franco Harris had his first child in 1979, seven years into his stint with the Steelers. Dana Dokmanovich gave birth to their son, Franco Dokmanovich Harris Jr, known as 'Dok.' Dok has chosen a different career, favoring science, inventions, and politics above sports. By the end of his twenties, Dok had earned the titles of innovator, broadcast personality, and entrepreneur, as reported by the Focus.