Pittsburgh Steelers legend and Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris has passed away. He was aged 72.
Harris was arguably best known for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history – dubbed the “Immaculate Reception”.
Harris’ son Dok told The Associated Press his father died overnight. No cause of death was given.
“We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet,” said Hall of Fame President Jim Porter.
“Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways.
“The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco’s football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.”
Harris ran for 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, a dynasty that began in earnest when Harris decided to keep running during a last-second heave by Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw in a playoff game against Oakland in 1972.
He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
