The sports world was rocked on Wednesday morning when WTAE reported Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back, Franco Harris passed away just days prior to the 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception. The organization announced just before the season began that his number would be retired on Christmas Eve when the team takes on the Las Vegas Raiders. The unexpected death comes as a shock to many and he will forever be in the hearts of thousands because of what he has meant to the community of Pittsburgh. His former teammate, Terry Bradshaw joined Good Morning Football to speak about what Harris meant to him and the impact of his passing.
Steelers Hall of Fame running back, Franco Harris sprints towards the end zone against the Raiders in what would become known as the Immaculate Reception. | Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Sadly, Harris will not be present for what would have been one of the best scenes in the NFL this season. The celebration of the greatest play in football history paired with being just the third jersey retired in Steelers history was setting up to be the best event for Harris since he retired in 1984 according to Bradshaw:
"This was to be the greatest moment in Franco's retirement life."
Bradshaw, who was the quarterback for the four Super Bowl Championships he and Harris helped bring to the city, reflected on the length of time he knew the former running back for and how crushing losing him is:
"He was just a great guy. I've known him forever. It's a sad day for sure."
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: Former NFL players Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris speak onstage during day 2 of SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIV on January 30, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM )
He brought up when Harris was drafted by the Steelers back in 1972 and how then head coach, Chuck Noll wasn't really excited for him to join the team. Later that year, the Immaculate Reception occurred and the rest is history.
The @gmfb crew honors 4x Super Bowl Champion and Hall of Famer Franco Harris after his tragic passing.
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 21, 2022
His impact and legacy will always be remembered. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/h5nQnTfV04
"We're always laughing. He was just a good man. He just came in from Penn State. He wasn't even the running back Chuck Noll wanted. His success never changed him."
Bradshaw was visibly upset about the passing of his friend and longtime teammate. He went into detail about how his death is a tragedy, but he knows that he is still waving his terrible towel with some former teammates.
"Death is such sorrow, but at the same time, we celebrate death because we know he's going to Heaven with all of our Steelers teammates. Will he be missed? Certainly. But we will celebrate him, and the Italian Stallion is going to a better place," Bradshaw said.
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 21: Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl XIII on January 21, 1979 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Steelers won the Super Bowl 35-31. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The two clearly had a strong relationship and thinking back to their time together, Bradshaw recounted how he would always give Harris a hard time about specific areas of his game, even though he was an incredible talent:
"I had so much fun messing with him on his blocking and catching. He was a great teammate. He was a vocal guy on the sidelines. He was such a good man. Always smiling. A humble giant."
A special bond is created when athletes play together for an extended period of time. Bradshaw and Harris shared plenty of celebratory moments with one another and losing his friend way too soon is always devastating.
What are your thoughts on Bradshaw's comments? Let us know in the comments below.
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