Editing Franco Harris

{{Short description|American football player (1950–2022)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image       = Franco Harris 2022.jpg
| caption     = Harris in 2022
| alt         = Posed head-and-shoulders photograph of Harris wearing a black tuxedo and black tie
| position    = [[Full-back (association football)|Fullback]]
| number      = 32, 34
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1950|3|7}}
| birth_place = [[Fort Dix]], New Jersey, U.S.
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|2022|12|20|1950|3|7}}
| death_place = [[Sewickley, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| draftyear   = 1972
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 13
| college     = [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]] (1968–1971)
| high_school = [[Rancocas Valley Regional High School|Rancocas Valley Regional]]<br />([[Mount Holly, New Jersey]])
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 2
| weight_lbs  = 230
| pastteams   =
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] ([[1972 NFL season|1972]]–[[1983 NFL season|1983]])
* [[Seattle Seahawks]] ([[1984 NFL season|1984]])
| highlights  =
* 4× [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl IX|IX]], [[Super Bowl X|X]], [[Super Bowl XIII|XIII]], [[Super Bowl XIV|XIV]])
* [[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award|Super Bowl MVP]] ([[Super Bowl IX|IX]])
* [[NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year]] (1972)
* [[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award|NFL Man of the Year]] (1976)
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1977 All-Pro Team|1977]])
* 2× Second-team All-Pro ([[1972 All-Pro Team|1972]], [[1975 All-Pro Team|1975]])
* 9× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1973 Pro Bowl|1972]]–[[1981 Pro Bowl|1980]])
* [[List of NFL season rushing touchdowns leaders|NFL rushing touchdowns leader]] (1976)
* [[NFL 1970s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team]]
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor]]
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers#Retired uniform numbers|Pittsburgh Steelers No. 32]] retired
* [[Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
* 2× Second-team All-East ([[1969 All-East football team|1969]], [[1971 All-East football team|1971]])
| statlabel1  = Rushing yards
| statvalue1  = 12,120
| statlabel2  = Yards per carry
| statvalue2  = 4.1
| statlabel3  = Rushing [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue3  = 91
| statlabel4  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue4  = 307
| statlabel5  = Receiving yards
| statvalue5  = 2,287
| statlabel6  = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6  = 9
| pfr         = HarrFr00
| HOF         = franco-harris
}}

'''Franco Dok Harris''' (March 7, 1950 – December 20, 2022) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] for 13 seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL), primarily with the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/sports/the-10-greatest-nfl-fullbacks-of-all-time.html/ |title=The 10 Greatest NFL Fullbacks in History |work=Sports Cheat Sheet |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927165314/https://www.cheatsheet.com/sports/the-10-greatest-nfl-fullbacks-of-all-time.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He played [[college football]] for the [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State Nittany Lions]] and was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the [[1972 NFL draft]]. Harris spent his first 12 seasons with Pittsburgh, earning nine [[Pro Bowl]] selections, and was a member of the [[Seattle Seahawks]] in his last.

A four-time [[Super Bowl]] winner with the Steelers, Harris was the [[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player|Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) of [[Super Bowl IX]]. He also scored the "[[Immaculate Reception]]" touchdown, one of professional football's most famous plays, which gave the Steelers their first playoff win. Harris was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1990.

== Early life and education ==
Harris was born in [[Fort Dix, New Jersey]]. His father, Cad Harris, a Black soldier, served in [[World War II]] and was stationed in Italy during the war. His mother, Gina Parenti Harris, was a native Italian and became a "[[war bride]]", who moved with her husband when he returned to the United States after the end of the war.<ref>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1996-09-22-1996266123-story.html "Franco Harris: still goal-bound 'He has always known where he wanted to go'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423192623/https://www.baltimoresun.com/ |date=April 23, 2021 }}, by Sean Somerville, ''Baltimore Sun'', September 22, 1996</ref><ref>[https://vault.si.com/vault/1972/12/11/black-and-gold-soul-with-italian-legs "Black and Gold Soul with Italian Legs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019154726/https://vault.si.com/vault/1972/12/11/black-and-gold-soul-with-italian-legs |date=October 19, 2020 }}, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', December 11, 1972.</ref>

Harris was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) at [[Rancocas Valley Regional High School]] in [[Mount Holly Township, New Jersey]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beckner, Jr. |first=Bill |date=December 21, 2022 |title=‘He was super:’ Franco Harris was 3-sport star in New Jersey before NFL fame |url=https://tribhssn.triblive.com/he-was-super-franco-harris-was-3-sport-star-in-new-jersey-before-nfl-fame/ |work=Pittsburgh Tribune}}</ref> He graduated in 1968.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Ultimate New Jersey High School Yearbook|date=1998}}</ref> He then attended [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State University]], where he played on the [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Nittany Lions]] football team. Although he was primarily a blocker for the running back during his first year at Penn State, he amassed a career total of 2,002 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns and averaged over 5 yards per carry, while also catching 28 passes for 352 yards and another touchdown. He led the team in scoring in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onwardstate.com/2020/02/02/franco-harris-immaculate-reception-voted-greatest-moment-in-nfl-history/|website=Onward State|title=Franco Harris' 'Immaculate Reception' Voted Greatest Moment in NFL History|date=February 2, 2020|author=DiSanto, Matt}}</ref>

Harris's statistics during his final three seasons at Penn State are as follows:
* 1969: 115 carries for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns; 12 catches for 189 yards.<ref name=":0" />
* 1970: 142 carries for 675 yards and 8 touchdowns; 6 catches for 66 yards.<ref name=":0" />
* 1971: 123 carries for 684 yards and 6 touchdowns; 10 catches for 97 yards and 1 touchdown.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/franco-harris-1.html|title=Franco Harris College Stats|website=College Football @ Sports-Reference.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106091601/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/franco-harris-1.html|archive-date=January 6, 2015|access-date=May 16, 2015}}</ref>

== Professional career ==
[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 46 - Terry Bradshaw (Franco Harris crop).jpg|thumb|Harris rushing for the Steelers in [[Super Bowl XIV]]]]
Harris was selected 13th overall in the first round of the [[1972 NFL draft]] by the [[1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] despite assistant personnel director [[Bill Nunn (American football)|Bill Nunn]] and head coach [[Chuck Noll]] preferring [[Robert Newhouse]].<ref>[https://www.profootballhof.com/players/franco-harris/ Franco Harris, Class of 1990 – Pro Football Hall of Fame.] Retrieved December 22, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/01/18/steelers-forged-by-draft-masters/f87f7ace-3b05-41d2-9c87-57c8ba8e1e3d/ Denlinger, Ken. "Steelers Forged By Draft Masters," ''The Washington Post'', Friday, January 18, 1980.] Retrieved December 22, 2022.</ref> In his first season with the Steelers (1972), Harris was named the [[NFL Rookie of the Year]] by ''[[The Sporting News]]'' and [[NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year]] by the [[Associated Press]]. In that season he gained 1,055 yards on 188 carries, with a 5.6 yards per carry average. He also rushed for 10 touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass.<ref>{{cite pro-football-reference|name=Franco Harris|id=H/HarrFr00|accessdate=December 22, 2022}}</ref> He was popular with [[Pittsburgh]]'s large Italian-American population: his fans, including "Brigadier General" [[Frank Sinatra]], dubbed themselves "Franco's Italian Army" and wore army helmets with his number on them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/thedigs/2018/06/27/remembering-al-vento-and-francos-italian-army/|title=Remembering Al Vento and Franco's Italian Army|last=Gayla|first=Marella|date=June 27, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109062721/https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/thedigs/2018/06/27/remembering-al-vento-and-francos-italian-army/|archive-date=January 9, 2019|access-date=November 1, 2018}}</ref>

During his rookie season, Harris was a key player in one of professional football's most famous plays, dubbed the "[[Immaculate Reception]]" by Pittsburgh sportscaster [[Myron Cope]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Myron|last=Cope|title=Backtalk; An Immaculate Explanation of the Truth|date=December 21, 1997|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/21/sports/backtalk-an-immaculate-explanation-of-the-truth.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref> In the first round of the playoffs, the [[Oakland Raiders]] were leading the Steelers 7–6 with 22 seconds to play when a [[Terry Bradshaw]] pass was deflected away from intended receiver [[John Fuqua|John "Frenchy" Fuqua]] as defender [[Jack Tatum]] arrived to tackle him. Harris snatched the ball just before it hit the ground and ran it into the endzone, resulting in the Steelers' first playoff win.<ref name=divine>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=436|title=Football History – Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site|website=profootballhof.com|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=December 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227113110/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/release.jsp?release_id=436|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Immaculate Reception' Still Lifts a Region's Spirits 50 Years Later|date=December 19, 2022|work=NECN|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.necn.com/news/sports/immaculate-reception-still-lifts-a-regions-spirits-50-years-later/2893483/|access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref>

Harris was chosen for nine consecutive [[Pro Bowl]]s (1972–1980), and was All-Pro in 1977.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/12/hall-of-fame-rb-franco-harris-dies-at-72|website=Pro Football Rumors|author=Robinson, Sam|title=Hall Of Fame RB Franco Harris Dies at 72|date=December 21, 2022 }}</ref> Harris rushed for more than 1,000 yards in eight seasons, breaking a record set by [[Jim Brown]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Harris gets his 1,000 years as Cleveland thousands boo|date=December 19, 1983|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|page=15|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115003357/|access-date=December 22, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The running back tandem of Harris and [[Rocky Bleier]] combined with a strong defense to win four [[Super Bowl]]s following the 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979 seasons. On January 12, 1975, he was the [[Most Valuable Player]] of [[Super Bowl IX]]; in that game he rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries for a 16–6 win over the [[Minnesota Vikings]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/21/sport/nfl-franco-harris-obit-spt-intl/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=December 21, 2022|author=De La Fuente, Homero|title=Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris, known for 'Immaculate Reception,' dead at age 72 }}</ref> Harris was the first African American as well as the first Italian-American to be named [[Super Bowl MVP]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/photos/super-bowl-nfl-black-history-firsts-18359186/image-18359693|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|title=Super Bowl, NFL Black History Firsts}}</ref> Harris was a major contributor for the Steelers in all of their first four Super Bowl wins. His Super Bowl career totals of 101 carries for 354 yards are records and his four career rushing touchdowns are tied for the second-most in Super Bowl history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbgo.org/podcast/sportsjam/2017-02-01/super-bowl-week-conjures-up-bright-moments|publisher=[[WGBO]]|title=Super Bowl Week Conjures Up Bright Moments|date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>

Harris claimed that he extended his career and thus his contribution to the team's objectives (including four Super Bowl victories) by avoiding unnecessary contact.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/83.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627151310/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/83.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2008|title=TSN Presents – Football's 100 Greatest Players|date=June 27, 2008|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref>

With the retirement of [[O. J. Simpson]] after the 1979 season,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114966573/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/|newspaper=[[The Central New Jersey Home News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=January 13, 1980|page=173|title=A Class Act from the Start, O.J. Simpson Retires in Style|author=Goodman, Mark}} {{Open access}}</ref> Harris became the career rushing leader among active players.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114966660/the-minneapolis-star/|newspaper=[[The Minneapolis Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 3, 1980|page=14|title=Here comes Franco!|author=Stoneking, Dan}} {{Open access}}</ref> Following the [[1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1983 season]], Harris and [[Walter Payton]] were both closing in on Jim Brown's NFL rushing record, and Harris asked the [[Rooney family]] for a pay raise. Believing that Harris was on the downside of his career, they refused and Harris threatened to hold out. The Steelers released him during training camp in 1984 and he then signed with the [[Seattle Seahawks]] during the [[1984 NFL season|1984 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2006/02/03/franco_harris_ended_career_with_seahawks/|title=Franco Harris ended career with Seahawks |website=The Boston Globe|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160312/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2006/02/03/franco_harris_ended_career_with_seahawks/|url-status=live}}</ref> He played just eight games with the team, gaining only 170 yards before retiring (192 yards short of Jim Brown's record).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/580089-10-nfl-greats-we-wish-had-played-for-just-one-team|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|title=10 NFL Greats We Wish Had Played for Just One Team|author=Smith, Yaneek|date=January 24, 2011}}</ref>

In his 13 professional seasons, Harris gained 12,120 yards (then 3rd all-time)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career_1984.htm|title=NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 1984 - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113114245/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career_1984.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> on 2,949 carries, a 4.1 yards per carry average, and scored 91 rushing touchdowns (then also 3rd).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_career_1984.htm|title=NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1984 - Pro-Football-Reference.com|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113114248/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_career_1984.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He caught 307 passes for 2,287 yards, a 7.4 yards per reception average, and nine receiving touchdowns. Harris's 12,120 career rushing yards rank him [[List of National Football League career rushing yards leaders|amongst the all-time leaders in the NFL]], while his 91 career rushing touchdowns rank him 10th all time tied with [[Jerome Bettis]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.playerfilter.com/rushing-leaders |title=NFL Rushing Leaders |access-date=October 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090810105805/http://www.playerfilter.com/rushing-leaders |archive-date=August 10, 2009 }}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1972 NFL season|1972]] !! [[1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 14 || 10 || 188 || 1,055 || '''5.6''' || '''75''' || 10 || 21 || 180 || 8.6 || 29 || 1
|-
! [[1973 NFL season|1973]] !! [[1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 12 || 8 || 188 || 698 || 3.7 || 35 || 3 || 10 || 69 || 6.9 || 19 || 0
|-
! [[1974 NFL season|1974]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 12 || 11 || 208 || 1,006 || 4.8 || 54 || 5 || 23 || 200 || '''8.7''' || 31 || 1
|-
! [[1975 NFL season|1975]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 14 || 14 || 262 || '''1,246''' || 4.8 || 36 || 10 || 28 || 214 || 7.6 || '''44''' || 1
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] !! [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 14 || 14 || 289 || 1,128 || 3.9 || 30 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''14''' || 23 || 151 || 6.6 || 39 || 0
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] !! [[1977 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 14 || 14 || 300 || 1,162 || 3.9 || 61 || 11 || 11 || 62 || 5.6 || 15 || 0
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1978 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 16 || '''310''' || 1,082 || 3.5 || 37 || 8 || 22 || 144 || 6.5 || 15 || 0
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 15 || 15 || 267 || 1,186 || 4.4 || 71 || 11 || 36 || '''291''' || 8.1 || 21 || 1
|-
! [[1980 NFL season|1980]] !! [[1980 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 13 || 13 || 208 || 789 || 3.8 || 26 || 4 || 30 || 196 || 6.5 || 31 || '''2'''
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] !! [[1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 16 || 242 || 987 || 4.1 || 50 || 8 || '''37''' || 250 || 6.8 || 26 || 1
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] !! [[1982 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 9 || 9 || 140 || 604 || 4.3 || 21 || 2 || 31 || 249 || 8.0 || 20 || 0
|-
! [[1983 NFL season|1983]] !! [[1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 16 || 16 || 279 || 1,007 || 3.6 || 19 || 5 || 34 || 278 || 8.2 || 29 || '''2'''
|-
! [[1984 NFL season|1984]] !! [[1984 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 8 || 6 || 68 || 170 || 2.5 || 16 || 0 || 1 || 3 || 3.0 || 3 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| !! 173 !! 162 !! 2,949 !! 12,120 !! 4.1 !! 75 !! 91 !! 307 !! 2,287 !! 7.4 !! 44 !! 9
|}

===Playoffs===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! GP !! GS !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1972 NFL season|1972]] !! [[1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 2 || 2 || 34 || 140 || 4.1 || 14 || 0 || 7 || 99 || 14.1 || '''60''' || '''1'''
|-
! [[1973 NFL season|1973]] !! [[1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 1 || 1 || 10 || 29 || 2.9 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1974 NFL season|1974]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 3 || 3 || '''87''' || '''343''' || 3.9 || 25 || '''6''' || 1 || 5 || 5.0 || 5 || 0
|-
! [[1975 NFL season|1975]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1975 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 3 || 3 || 81 || 314 || 3.9 || 25 || 2 || 6 || 84 || 14.0 || 26 || 0
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] !! [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 1 || 1 || 18 || 132 || '''7.3''' || '''50''' || 0 || 3 || 24 || 8.0 || 15 || 0
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] !! [[1977 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 1 || 1 || 28 || 92 || 3.3 || 20 || 1 || 4 || 20 || 5.0 || 12 || 0
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1978 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 3 || 3 || 64 || 224 || 3.5 || 22 || 4 || 1 || 22 || '''22.0''' || 22 || 0
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] !! style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"| [[1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 3 || 3 || 62 || 214 || 3.5 || 13 || 3 || '''14''' || '''148''' || 10.6 || 32 || 0
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] !! [[1982 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 1 || 1 || 10 || 35 || 3.5 || 7 || 0 || 11 || 71 || 6.5 || 17 || 0
|-
! [[1983 NFL season|1983]] !! [[1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season|PIT]]
| 1 || 1 || 6 || 33 || 5.5 || 14 || 0 || 4 || 31 || 7.8 || 11 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| !! 19 !! 19 !! 400 !! 1,556 !! 3.9 !! 50 !! 16 !! 51 !! 504 !! 9.9 !! 60 !! 1
|}

== Post-football ==
[[File:Franco Harris - PA Democrat Party - Jan 22 2009.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|Harris in 2009]]

In 1990, Harris and his former Penn State teammate [[Lydell Mitchell]] founded Super Bakery (renamed RSuper Foods in 2006), which produces nutrition-oriented food for schoolchildren.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/economics/images/bakery1.pdf |title=The Super Bakery Story |access-date=October 26, 2009 |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728173956/http://westernreservepublicmedia.org/economics/images/bakery1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Harris and Mitchell also partnered in 1996 to rescue<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19990204&id=0yxiAAAAIBAJ&pg=2260,271793 |title=Philadelphia company buys Parks Sausage Co. |date=February 4, 1999 |newspaper=Observer-Reporter |via=Google News |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423192639/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19990204&id=0yxiAAAAIBAJ&pg=2260%2C271793|url-status=live}}</ref> the Parks Sausage Company in Baltimore, the first African-American{{Endash}}owned business to go public in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AdQxAAAAIBAJ&pg=1336,6186319&dq=raymond-haysbert&hl=en |title=CEO welcomes a challenge |date=June 14, 1992 |work=Reading Eagle |via=Google News |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423192612/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AdQxAAAAIBAJ&pg=1336%2C6186319&dq=raymond-haysbert&hl=en |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Harris was chosen by [[Forest City Enterprises]] to lead a charitable foundation they created, related to the development of a casino for downtown Pittsburgh that would be managed by [[Harrah's Entertainment|Harrah's]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ir.forestcity.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=88464&p=IROL-NRText&t=Regular&id=807149&|title=Forest City Enterprises : Press Releases|date=November 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101055007/http://ir.forestcity.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=88464&p=IROL-NRText&t=Regular&id=807149&|archive-date=November 1, 2007}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2022}}

In August 2008, Harris attended the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]], in [[Denver]], Colorado, as part of the [[Pennsylvania]] delegation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2008/08/28/D92RC7700_cvn_walking_the_floor/index.html|title=AP News Wire, Associated Press News|accessdate=March 6, 2023}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Harris voted for [[Barack Obama]] on December 15, 2008, as one of Pennsylvania's 21 Democratic [[presidential electors]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i5uzTpibgiqcSURUWPVvUQRzYSIQD953E86G0 |title=The Associated Press: It's official: Barack Obama elected 44th president |access-date=November 11, 2016 |archive-date=December 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218194544/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i5uzTpibgiqcSURUWPVvUQRzYSIQD953E86G0 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20081216_Obama_wins_____in_a_formality.html|title=AP/Inquirer: Obama wins ... in a formality|website=Philadelphia Daily News|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=December 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217144741/http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20081216_Obama_wins_____in_a_formality.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2011, Harris became co-owner of the [[Pittsburgh Passion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghpassion.com/ownership.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329032616/http://www.pittsburghpassion.com/ownership.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2013|title=OWNERSHIP – Official Website of the Pittsburgh Passion Women's Football Team|date=March 29, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> Also in 2011, Harris briefly worked with [[The Meadows Racetrack and Casino]], before the casino suspended the relationship after his comments in support of [[Joe Paterno]], his coach while at Penn State, during the [[Penn State child sex abuse scandal]].<ref>Schilken, Chuck, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120425220608/http://mobile.latimes.com/p.p?a=rp&m=b&postId=1184919&curAbsIndex=0&resultsUrl=DID=6&DFCL=1000&DSB=rank%23desc&DBFQ=userId%3A7&DL.w=&DL.d=10&DQ=sectionId%3A6907&DPS=0&DPL=3 "Franco Harris loses job for comments supporting Joe Paterno"], ''Los Angeles Times'', November 16, 2011, 9:32&nbsp;am. Retrieved November 22, 2011.</ref>

In 2019, Harris starred in the NFL's 100th Anniversary commercial recreating the Immaculate Reception with [[Terry Bradshaw]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Carroll |first=Charlotte |title=Watch: NFL's 100th anniversary Super Bowl ad |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/04/nfl-100th-anniversary-super-bowl-celebration-commercial-video |access-date=December 22, 2022 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Harris was married to Dana Dokmanovich.<ref name = NYT/> They had one son together: Franco "Dok" Harris, who ran as a third-party candidate in the [[2009 Pittsburgh mayoral election]] and finished in second place with 25% of the vote.<ref name=AlleghenyGeneral2009>{{Citation |title=SUMMARY REPORT – Allegheny County – 2009 General Election |date=November 3, 2009 |publisher=Allegheny County Board of Elections |url=http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/elect/200911gen/el45_1247.htm |access-date=November 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108005110/http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/elect/200911gen/el45_1247.htm |archive-date=November 8, 2009 }}</ref> Franco's brother, [[Pete Harris (American football)|Pete Harris]], played football for Penn State and died of a heart attack on August 15, 2006, at age 49.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kdka.com/steelerstrainingcamp/local_story_227081313.html |title=Kdka.com – Brother of Former Steeler Passes Away |access-date=February 13, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927024525/http://kdka.com/steelerstrainingcamp/local_story_227081313.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref>

Harris served as part of the advisory board of Penn State's Center for Food Innovation, and in the fall of 2009 was named a Conti Professor by [[Pennsylvania State University School of Hospitality Management|Penn State's School of Hospitality Management]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hhd.psu.edu/news/2009/10_7_09_conti_symposium.html |title=Conti Symposium to Focus on Healthy, Cost-Effective Food |publisher=hhdev.psu.edu |date=October 7, 2009 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-date=August 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814092527/http://www.hhd.psu.edu/news/2009/10_7_09_conti_symposium.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was involved in, and provided funding to, Penn Staters for Responsible Stewardship, a group aimed at ousting the members of Penn State's board of trustees.<ref>200 flock to King of Prussia in support of Paterno, ''Philadelphia Daily News''</ref>

==Death and tributes==
{{quote box|width=30em | quote  = "We are truly heartbroken. The reality of losing such a magnificent individual has not yet settled in. We have shared Franco with so many people throughout our lives and in so many ways. Beyond his incredible career in the NFL Franco represents what is best in humanity: kindness, charity, decency, and humility. He led by example on and off the field with the goal of making this a better world for us all. We know he has touched so many of you and we mourn with you. We will remain steadfast in living and achieving the world that he wanted to build." | source = —Statement from Franco Harris's family following his death<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-sports-year-in-review-looking-back-on-the-biggest-sports-stories-of-2022/ |title=Pittsburgh Sports Year In Review: Looking back on the biggest sports stories of 2022 |last=Damp |first=Patrick |publisher=CBS Pittsburgh |date=December 25, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref>}}
Harris died in his sleep at his home in [[Sewickley, Pennsylvania]], on December 20, 2022, at age 72,<ref>{{cite web |title=Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72 |url=https://www.wtae.com/article/steelers-hall-of-famer-franco-harris-dead-at-72/42304035 |publisher=WTAE |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref><ref name = NYT>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/sports/football/franco-harris-dead-steelers.html|title = Franco Harris, Steeler Who Caught 'Immaculate Reception,' Dies at 72|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|date = December 21, 2022|accessdate = December 21, 2022|last1 = Sandomir|first1 = Richard|last2 = Victor|first2 = Daniel|url-access = limited}}</ref> three days before the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Graves |first1=Will |title=Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris dies at 72 |url=https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-college-football-sports-efc7c3e417ad04594ae32a3fbc0a693a |work=Associated Press News |date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref> Harris's death was considered sudden, as he had been active on social media just days before his death and had spoken to visitors at the [[Heinz History Center]] the day before his death including a [[Live television|live]] interview with [[KDKA-TV]] from the Heinz History Center. He was set to attend a ceremony at halftime during a Steelers game against the [[Las Vegas Raiders]] on December 24, 2022, to retire his jersey number.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-great-franco-harris-dies-at-age-72/|title = Steelers great Franco Harris dies at age 72|last = Rutter|first = Joe|newspaper = [[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]|date = December 21, 2022|accessdate = December 21, 2022}}</ref> Hours before his death, Harris recorded an interview with Steelers defensive end [[Cameron Heyward]] for his podcast in what would be his last public interview, during which he ironically commented about how he was "feeling good" and happy to have made it to the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception".<ref name=Cam>{{cite web |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2022/12/in-one-of-his-final-interviews-franco-harris-discussed-his-excitement-for-saturdays-ceremony/ |title=In One of His Final Interviews, Franco Harris Discussed His Excitement for Saturday's Ceremony |last=Koroza |first=Alex |work=Steelers Depot |date=December 22, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> His cause of death was later ruled as [[natural causes]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/pittsburgh-steelers-hall-of-famer-franco-harris-passes-away-at-72/articleshow/96406364.cms | title=Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris passes away at 72 | newspaper=The Economic Times | date=December 21, 2022 }}</ref>

Immediately after his death, many gave public tributes. Terry Bradshaw, who had found out about Harris's death from his wife after seeing a text message from [[Mel Blount]], had just seen Harris two weeks prior, filming material related to the Immaculate Reception's anniversary and was in a "state of shock". Bradshaw praised Harris, saying that "as a teammate, he was just the best."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/terry-bradshaws-memories-of-franco-harris-all-good-stuff/ | title=Terry Bradshaw in 'state of shock' over Franco Harris' death |work=Trib Live |last=Guggenheimer |first=Paul |date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> Steelers president [[Art Rooney II]], who like the rest of the [[Rooney family]] was close to Harris, said through a statement by the team that "From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field. He never stopped giving back in so many ways. He touched so many, and he was loved by so many."<ref name=death>{{cite web |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/hall-of-fame-rb-franco-harris-72 |title=Hall of Fame RB Franco Harris, 72 |publisher=Pittsburgh Steelers |last=Labrlola |first=Bob |date=December 23, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022 |via=steelers.com}}</ref> In addition to Penn State itself, two Penn State alumni with connections to the Steelers—Harris's former teammate [[Jack Ham]] and current Steelers tight end [[Pat Freiermuth]]—also paid their respects to Harris. Other tributes would later come out by current and former Steelers as well as other Pittsburgh celebrities such as Joe Greene,<ref name=death /> [[Jerome Bettis]], [[Najee Harris]], [[Ben Roethlisberger]], [[Hines Ward]], [[Tony Dungy]], [[T. J. Watt]], [[Trai Essex]], [[Arthur Moats]], [[James Conner (American football)|James Conner]], current Steelers head coach [[Mike Tomlin]], [[Charlie Batch]], [[Kurt Angle]], [[Mark Madden]], [[Tony Dorsett]], [[Darrelle Revis]], [[Billy Gardell]], and [[Joe Manganiello]]; the [[Pittsburgh Penguins|Penguins]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates|Pirates]] also paid tribute.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/reacting-to-the-loss-of-a-steelers-icon |title=Reacting to the loss of a Steelers icon |publisher=Pittsburgh Steelers |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=December 23, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022 |via=steelers.com}}</ref> The December 27, 2022, episode of ''[[Pittsburgh Dad]]'' covering the aforementioned Steelers-Raiders game (a 13-10 Steelers win) featured a tribute to Harris from the titular character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/J3mz0cu70Aw YouTube] {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref> 
Shortly after Harris' death, there was a street named after him in Mount Holly, New Jersey where he went to high school (Rancocas Valley Regional High School). The former Ridgeway Street is now known as Franco Harris Way.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

Despite only playing briefly with the Seahawks, the team also acknowledged Harris's passing; other tributes from the NFL came from the Raiders, [[Baltimore Ravens]], [[Emmitt Smith]], [[Michael Irvin]], [[Shannon Sharpe]], [[Eric Dickerson]], [[O. J. Simpson]], [[Barry Sanders]], [[Larry Csonka]], [[Jack Youngblood]], and NFL commissioner [[Roger Goodell]]. Longtime [[ESPN]] personality [[Chris Berman]] paid tribute to Harris.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/35296920 | title=Berman: Can't think of Steelers without thinking of Franco Harris – ESPN Video | date=December 21, 2022 }}</ref> Presidents [[Joe Biden]] and [[Barack Obama]] also paid tribute to Harris.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/21/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-passing-of-franco-harris/ |title=Statement from President Joe Biden on the Passing of Franco Harris |publisher=The White House |date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/12/21/joe-biden-barack-obama-mourn-franco-harris-death/ | title=Joe Biden, Barack Obama Mourn Franco Harris' Death, 'An Extraordinary Man' |work=TMZ |date=December 21, 2022 |access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> U.S. Senator-elect [[John Fetterman]] released a statement mourning Harris, who supported his 2022 candidacy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2022 |title=Pittsburghers mourn the loss of Franco Harris, as stories of his legend pour in |url=https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2022-12-21/pittsburghers-mourn-the-loss-of-franco-harris-as-stories-of-his-legend-pour-in |access-date=December 23, 2022 |website=90.5 WESA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Franco |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_ZEYjYrVy0 |work=John Fetterman on YouTube |language=en |access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref>

The Steelers held a public viewing for Harris at [[Acrisure Stadium]] on December 27, 2022, prior to the family holding a private funeral service.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wtae.com/amp/article/franco-harris-public-viewing-acrisure-stadium/42331063 | title=Public viewing for Franco Harris held at Acrisure Stadium | date=December 28, 2022 }}</ref>

==Honors==
[[File:FHarrisstatue.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Statue of Harris making the "Immaculate Reception" at Pittsburgh International Airport.]]

In 1984, Harris received the Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement|website=achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=December 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215023909/https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, he served as an honorary co-captain for the Steelers at [[Super Bowl XXX]] and, on behalf of the then-current captains of the Steelers and the [[Dallas Cowboys]] called the [[coin flipping|ceremonial coin toss]] which was performed by [[Joe Montana]].  Harris would serve as an honorary co-captain again at [[Super Bowl XL]] a decade later.  In 1999, he was ranked number 83 on ''[[The Sporting News]]'' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. In 2006, The [[Heinz History Center]], home of the [[Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum]], installed a life-size figure of Harris in the grand concourse of [[Pittsburgh International Airport]], which recreates the "[[Immaculate Reception]]". He was inducted into the [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-pennstate/Franco-Harris-to-be-inducted-into-NJ-Hall-of-Fame.html|title=Franco Harris to be inducted into NJ Hall of Fame – Philly|website=Philadelphia Daily News|date=May 26, 2011 |access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922095940/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-pennstate/Franco-Harris-to-be-inducted-into-NJ-Hall-of-Fame.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 24, 2022, the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception", Harris became the third Steeler to have his number (32) [[retired number|retired]];<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-retire-franco-harris-no-32-emotional-halftime-ceremony-raiders#:~:text=%22It's%20been%20said%2C%20'Life,.%2032%20as%20officially%20retired.%22/ | title=Steelers retire Franco Harris' No. 32 during emotional halftime ceremony days after Hall of Famer's death | website=[[NFL.com]] | date=December 24, 2022 }}</ref> the first two were [[Ernie Stautner]] (70) and [[Joe Greene]] (75).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6532272-74/steelers-greene-rooney|title=Joe Greene only 2nd player in Steelers history to get number retired|first=Alan|last=Robinson|website=TribLIVE.com|access-date=March 25, 2018|archive-date=November 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113113540/http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/6532272-74/steelers-greene-rooney|url-status=live}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
In [[John Grisham]]'s 2008 novel ''[[Playing For Pizza]]'', the fullback of the [[Parma Panthers]] is nicknamed Franco as a tribute to his hero, Franco Harris, to whom he refers as the "greatest Italian football player".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlc.com/proday/fharris.htm|website=onlc.com|title=Bio – Franco Harris}}</ref> A fictional version of Harris is depicted in the season 3 premiere episode of ''[[This Is Us (TV series)|This Is Us]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keegan |first1=Kayla |title=Here's What Franco Harris Might Have to Do With 'This Is Us' |url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a23472828/franco-harris-this-is-us/ |website=Good Housekeeping |access-date=December 21, 2022 |date=September 26, 2018}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Glossary of American football]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}

* {{Sports links}}
* [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=89 Pro Football Hall of Fame] – Franco Harris

{{Navboxes
| title = Franco Harris—awards, championships, and honors
| list1 =
{{1972 NFL Draft}}
{{SteelersFirstPick}}
{{Steelers1972DraftPicks}}
{{AP Offensive Rookies of the Year}}
{{Walter Payton Man of the Year Award}}
{{"Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year}}
{{Super Bowl IX}}
{{Super Bowl X}}
{{Super Bowl XIII}}
{{Super Bowl XIV}}
{{Super Bowl MVPs}}
{{NFL rushing touchdowns leaders}}
{{10,000 rushing yards club}}
{{NFL1970s}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers 50th season All-Time team}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers retired numbers}}
{{1990 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Franco}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:2008 United States presidential electors]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football running backs]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year winners]]
[[Category:NFL players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football players]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania Democrats]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Mount Holly, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Sewickley, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Burlington County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Rancocas Valley Regional High School alumni]]
[[Category:Seattle Seahawks players]]
[[Category:Super Bowl MVPs]]