The Pittsburgh Steelers had lost for decades. New head coach, Chuck Noll began acquiring talent. The team was getting noticeably better, but in the spring of 1972, the Steelers had played in one playoff game in team history and that was 25 seasons prior. The scouting department and Noll used their first-round draft choice on a fullback from Penn State, Franco Dok Harris.
Pittsburgh Magazine
Harris was the primary blocker for Lydell Mitchell at Penn State. Mitchell was an All-American halfback, but the Steelers saw something special in Harris who despite limited carries, managed over 600 yards per season and 24 rushing touchdowns during his collegiate career. He was also an exceptional receiver out of the backfield in a time when passing was seen as a last resort in most football circles. Harris was not exactly celebrating when he got the call from the Steelers.
“When I got that call, it was like 'No, I cannot believe this.' I did not want to come to Pittsburgh. That was last on my list. But wow, did it work out.”
Harris burst out of the gate for the 1972 Steelers and until Najee Harris came along, he held the rookie rushing record in Pittsburgh for 40 years gaining 1,088 yards in a single season. He was named the Offensive Rookie of The Year, made the Pro Bowl, was Second Team All-Pro and finished in the top 10 in league MVP voting. The team went 11-3 and won their first AFC Central division title. The Steelers were in the playoffs and Harris was largely responsible for carrying them.
On December 23rd, 1972, the Steelers prepared to play the second playoff game in team history. The Oakland Raiders were the opponents in a game that would start one of the most bitter rivalries in NFL history and produce the greatest moment in league history. The game itself was a slug fest with two of the best defenses of the 1970's dominating play.
Credit: AP Photo / Harry Cabluck
The black and gold managed two Roy Gerela field goals before Ken Stabler, who had relieved Daryle Lamonica, had seemingly given Oakland the victory with a 30-yard scramble with just over a minute left in the game. Terry Bradshaw facing fourth and ten from the Steelers' 40-yard line with 22 seconds remaining, dropped back to pass and heaved a desperation toss in the direction of John “Frenchy” Fuqua. In a legal play in 1972, Jack Tatum tipped the pass and then ensured Fuqua would not catch the pass with a devastating hit.
The ball floated towards the turf and the hearts of Steeler Nation sank. Harris, who had done so much to get the Steelers into the playoffs, was trailing the play when the ball popped into the air. He plucked the floating ball from the sky and sped towards the goal line and NFL history. The Steelers won the game and 40 years later, NFL Network still calls it the greatest play in NFL history. It was also the first playoff touchdown in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers would lose to the undefeated Miami Dolphins the following week. But just two seasons later, they found themselves in Super Bowl IX against the mighty Minnesota Vikings, Fran Tarkenton, and the Purple People Eaters defense. In 1974, the Steelers' appearance in the Super Bowl was equivalent to the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs World Series appearances. The day that fans thought might never come. The black and gold were a three-point favorite heading into the game behind a stifling defense and another Pro Bowl season by Harris.
In Super Bowl IX, Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Franco Harris (32) carries the football. | Getty Images / Walter Looss Jr.
The first half was an epic battle with the only score being a safety when Dwight White corralled Tarkenton to give the Steel Curtain a 2-0 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the Steelers turned to Harris and he delivered carrying the ball 34 times for 158 yards. In the third quarter, he scored the first touchdown for the black and gold in what would become eight eventual Super Bowl appearances. Number 32 was named the game MVP and the first Lombardi Trophy was handed to the Rooney family.
Harris played 13 seasons in the NFL and 12 in Pittsburgh. He started more than 10 games in a season in 10 of those campaigns. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in all but one of those seasons, in 1981, he fell 13 yards short. He made nine consecutive Pro Bowls in his career and made three All-Pro teams. He also retired as the second leading rusher in NFL history with four Super Bowl rings, eight division titles and a 14-5 playoff record in games that he started.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Franco Harris (32) running during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Latrobe, PA 7/22/1982. CREDIT: James Drake (Photo by James Drake/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Harris was remarkably durable in his NFL career. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in his 12th and final season in Pittsburgh in 1983. Before Jerome Bettis’s final game in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, it was fitting that Franco Harris walked onto the field swinging a Terrible Towel to whip the crowd into a frenzy for the next Steelers Hall of Fame running back’s final game. Pittsburgh finally earned one for the thumb and it was a happy ending. The Steelers legend was present for another championship.
Number 32 has been an ambassador for the Steelers for nearly 40 seasons. He is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and a former Super Bowl MVP. Joe Greene has been the beating heart of Steeler Nation in the Super Bowl era. Harris was the soul. It is a fitting tribute that the heart and soul of the Steelers will hang next to each other forever.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
