Franco getting his #32 retired

As a part of the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Alright older guys, let's hear your Franco stories.

I had become a Steelers fan the year before Franco arrived at the age of 9. My brothers and I lived near St. Louis, and the then "football" Cardinals, previously from Chicago, and later to Arizona, were in their first season of three consecutive 4-9-1 records. My older brother declared he was becoming a then LA Rams fan, previously from Cleveland, and later to Anaheim, St. Louis, and back to LA, because Isaiah Robertson, a LB on the Rams, was his favorite player. I said, I will become a Steelers fan because my favorite player was "Mean" Joe Greene, which only lasted about a year.

Once Franco arrived, "Mean" Joe Greene became my second favorite player. I was enamored with Franco. Back in 1972, they didn't have the players rookie cards, or X-box, Play Station, Madden, etc., so I created a football game with player cards. We would take football cards, make offense and defense formations and use a bottle cap for the ball. We would snap the ball, put it on the player we wanted, then push the cards (and each other), until a defensive player card was on top of the player that had the bottle cap. Since there wasn't a Franco card, I cut a picture of his face out of some sports magazine and glued it to a double of some Steeler player. I think the Rams won, because doesn't the older brother always win these games as a kid, but Franco was a star, even before the Immaculate Reception.

On December 23, 1972, I was leaning on the edge of the couch which faced north, while the TV was in the corner facing northwest. When Stabler scrambled for the 30-yard TD late in the game, I did not want to go to school on Monday, because one of my friends was a Raiders fan and we had been talking smack all week before the game, and I figured the Steelers were about to lose. 1st down - incomplete; 2nd down - incomplete; 3rd down - incomplete; 4th down - I see Bradshaw get smacked as he passed, then I see Fuqua blown up by Tatum, incomple - no wait, Franco Harris, yes MY Franco, snatches the ball out of the air and is racing down the sideline. TOUCHDOWN STEELERS!!!! I went crazy. Screaming and yelling, "Steelers Touchdown!" The Steelers scored! They are going to win! My mom could not believe the commotion I was making. I was on cloud 9 for about a week.

I always tell other Steeler fans, Joe Greene made me a Steelers fan, but Franco made me a Steelers fan for life!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO FRANCO FOR HAVING HIS JERSEY RETIRED! But the dam needs to break and all the other great hall of fame Steelers need to have their jerseys retired. Then the Steelers can start a new tradition of unretiring numbers, because they have so many hall of fame players.

 

Steelers would have no numbers left if they retired all the previous stars numbers.

 

I agree, there are about 85 numbers after taking the numbers out of circulation. If the Steelers aren't issuing 7, 12, 26, 31, 32, 36, 43, 47, 52, 58, 59, 63, 66, 70, 75,82, and 88, what is the difference between not issuing them and retiring them. Once the player is deceased, the number could be unretired. Often times, high schools and colleges give out a specific number to player that represents the qualities of a previous player, keeping the legacy alive.

 

I've seen so many guys over the years that look like Franco Harris, (and maybe a woman or two), that they should hold a Franco look alike contest leading up to that game. Winner gets a Seahawks jersey.

 

Those dynasty players were a young local kid's dream. I am biased, but they were the greatest assembled team I ever saw in my life time to date.
God has blessed me.

 

I have shared this before, still cannot find the reference. Years ago I read an article and a long time Steelers management asst. (Whatever the role I do not know) was asked who he felt was the most important player during that run. He said before Franco we did not win much, after Franco we did not lose much. Not diminishing others importance or contributions, but he was the one I always looked to. Bradshaw recalled in his memoir that Franco was the most unselfish player he ever saw. His number was called in a game against GB and he told Brad to give the ball to Rocky. I want to block for Rock, get him his 100 yards before his hometown family and friends.

Whatever headcase he got when he held out and was traded is long forgiven...he was and is my all time favorite player.

 

And the one time, seen from footage, he got demonstrative at Hollywood Henderson for hitting Bradshaw late. As soon as they got in the huddle he demanded the ball and went on to run straight threw the middle(with some help from the umpire) and score the clincher.

Franco was legit. It's sad the Steelers couldn't reward his time a little before he wore that trashy Seahawks jersey.

 

I wrote a piece here on that game.. I remember it like it was yesterday.

RE: Retiring numbers.
I don't 'think' I like that practice. I think I would prefer a 'ring of honor' where the number is honored with the name on it around the stadium and practice facility.
I like for players to see that and those that are granted to right to wear those numbers, live up to them.