RIP Franco Harris

i did not read your thoughts in any other way.

and yes - why wait 50 years?? PEOPLE DO DIE, after all......

 

Almost to a day of the 50th anniversary of the greatest player in Steelers history and one of the greatest plays in NFL history as it was the official beginning of the dynasty.
Almost as though God decided that Franco needs to be upstairs for that most immaculate day.

 

When my son sent me a message through fb messenger this morning about this, all I saw initially was "and just a few days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception". Honest to goodness, initially I thought Terry Bradshaw had passed since he's been having fairly significant health issues of late. Then I saw it was Franco and my heart just sank. That can't be possible. The Steelers are retiring his number on Saturday and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. This can't be true. But of course, it is true. As I get older I realize that my boyhood heroes who I once looked at as immortal are indeed as mortal as you and I. Prayers for Franco's wife, son and family. The Steelers lost a wonderful member of the family but his iconic memory will live on.

 

One of the best things about him, he was approachable.
Many years ago I was just a "grunt" - go get soundbytes, write down notes, head bottle washer.
Franco was one of the nicer guys in the biz.

 

The sad news of Franco's passing has affected NFL fans world wide. The outpouring of symapathy and shock has been amazing. Given the bitter weather and late Christmas eve start time for the game, I hope the fans show up to give hime the send off he deserves.

 

no one should or will ever wear that number in a game ever again. Honor him that way and/or other ways!!!!

I will have his jersey at the game and hopefully the stands will be filled with #32 and hopefully his family will be there and feels the Love from Steeler Nation!!

Cajun

 

You know Chuck Noll, as great a head coach as he was, wanted to draft Robert Newhouse instead of Franco Harris but was talked into taking Harris instead. I'm glad he had a change of heart on draft day. I don't see Newhouse trailing the play the way Franco did putting him in the perfect position to catch the ball and run it in for the score. His stubby legs wouldn't have gotten him there but Franco's long, graceful strides sure did.

Remember how excited Franco was while announcing that the Steelers had selected Kenny Pickett? You could hear it in his voice and see it all over his face. Go out and make Franco proud, Kenny.

 

Fair enough. I concur. Maybe Najee can score a 32 yard TD instead. That would be kind of fitting.

 

RIP Franco. He was a class act!

 

It seems so unfair, and not sure why it took so long to officially retire his jersey…. BUT…. He knew, he passed knowing the love and respect the team, nfl and fans had for him and he knew what was going to happen in a few days. Such a high character and humble man.

Cajun

 

I took this on Monday, flying back from Charlotte. He dies the next day. Freaked me out.

 

Like all of us here I was shocked to here the news of Franco's passing. I really didn't have a favorite team at the start of that playoff game but that game that play Franco, Mean Joe, the timing of the immaculate reception. I fell in love with the Steelers after that. I was off work today and reading and seeing the outpouring of love and respect and admiration for the man just reinforces what I heard throughout the years. Franco was a super star on the field and off , so many on here were lucky enough to meet him and all said he was humble and approachable.
Truly a class act RIP Franco. Thanks for the memories.

 

Heaven will welcome Franco Harris with open arms Such a good person. Helpful to everyone. We can only hope to be as good as him. it's so sad.

 

Close up pic I took of Franco leaving practice and signing an autograph in LA area a few days before SB XIV at the Rose Bowl.

 

I vote this thread be made a permanent sticky on this MB.

 

When I posted this I was shocked and hoping it was just bs. After seeing other news sources verify it was still shocking. I mean he was conducting interviews all week in anticipation of her jersey retirement. It wasn't until I woke up from my nap after work that the reality set in.

I was too young to truly appreciate Franco the player, but I can recollect what he means to Pittsburgh as a city and the Steelers franchise as a whole. Anytime I wear a jersey, elder folks want to talk to me about those 70's Steelers, Franco, and Mean Joe Green and the Steel Curtain. He was a legend and philanthropist. He helped many in the community. He'll be surely missed.

"It's caught outta the air... caught outta the air by Franco Harris!"

RIP Franco

 

I hear you. I was questioning it all over the place until I saw ESPN and KDKA also had it, the latter with confirmation from his family.

Hell, he was doing interviews yesterday. This has just dominated my thoughts all day.

 

In 2007 I was stationed in Korea and word got out that, Franco and a few other celebrity athletes were going to visit the Troops as a meet and greet at several stratigic locations. My Boss who had been in country for 3 months was good friends of Franco and his bother guiseppe from Philly knew that I was a die hard Steeler Fan set up a one on one lunch, photo and autograph session for me and Franco. He signed a Football which I still have. Took a few photos, and signed a banner. Dude was a gentle Giant so humble gracious I will never ever forget our meeting and he made me feel like the number #1 Fan. He signed all my items "to my number one fan". Mr. Harris Franco!! RIP Sir and from the bottom of my Heart Thank you for making a Warrior feel Proud to be a Steeler Fan your second to none!!

 

RIP #32