Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72

WTAE ABC ^ | 12/21/22 | none

[Dan in Wichita]

I remember vividly watching the game as a 13 year old kid, in the comfort of the family living room on color TV. I didn't care who won or lost, but was thoroughly entertained by the game.

Right before the Immaculate Reception play, I had a premonition that something big was about to happen. Turns out that vision was correct.

[Delta 21]

Back when it was really worth watching.

[old school]

That’s kinda “inside baseball” don’tcha think?

[Hot Tabasco]

dumb ass.

You're a real class act....yep

[usafa92]

At the time of his retirement he was #3 behind Walter Payton and Jim Brown. Since then he has dropped to #15.

[oh8eleven]

...the Franco Harris / Rocky Bleier backfield remains one of the most potent in NFL history.

Not taking anything from Harris, but Bleier's' on field performance is even more amazing given he was a 'Nam Vet ...

"... On August 20, while on patrol in Hiep Duc, Bleier was wounded in the left thigh by an enemy rifle bullet when his platoon was ambushed in a rice paddy. While he was down, an enemy grenade landed nearby after bouncing off a fellow soldier, he tried to leap over it and it exploded sending shrapnel into his lower right leg. His right foot was severely damaged in the blast as well. He was later awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. While he was recovering in a hospital in Tokyo, doctors told him that he could not play football again."

[old school]

I’m a lifelong Raiders fan. I was just thinking about that game the other day, when the topic was brought-up; but, some of the most memorable games, ever, were played between the Steelers and the Raiders (in my humble opinion).

[Joe 6-pack]

Yep - as I noted in previous posts, I was a kid outside of Pittsburgh in the 70s and got to frequently meet Steelers of that era at training camp, car dealerships, speaking events, autograph signings, etc.

They were all gentleman and never got a negative impression of any of them. I met Bleier twice and his story was truly inspirational.

[Hyman Roth]

car dealerships

Was Bradshaw trying to sell you a used car?

[Huskrrrr]

I attended a Monday Night football game in Houston between the Oilers and Steelers in 1979. The list of NFL greats playing that night are two numerous to list.

[Joe 6-pack]

LOL nope. The one I distinctly remember at a car dealership was Mike Webster.

[Vermont Lt]

You are correct. He was awesome to watch. 72 is way too young.

[kosciusko51]

Those were some classic games, and it was one of the most intense rivalries during the 1970s.

Both played the same style of smashmouth defense, to the point Shula and the rules committee changed the rules. I still find it funny that Pittsburgh and Oakland won Superbowls despite the rule changes, and Shula’s Dolphins did not.

[KC Burke]

As a Chiefs fan from ‘63 onward I remember a lot of times when Franco would clean our clock. Great RB.

[surroundedbyblue]

Like many others, it appears he died of Suddenly.

His “get vaccinated” public service announcements he made on behalf of the CDC can be found on various social media outlets

May he rest in peace.

[tomkat]

Nice post re Neil Armstrong.

He was certainly an exemplary American.

[mware]

Even with the tinny voice, John Fancenda’s voice stood out. Those were the days.

[KierkegaardMAN]

https://www.tmz.com/2021/07/31/cdc-paid-nfl-alumni-3-5-million-to-promote-covid-19-vaccine/

[dfwgator]

They even have the Raiders and Steelers playing each other to commemorate it.

[dfwgator]

This is a great field view of the play...note the block that sprang him, after he caught the ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1grVgWug20