Franco Harris
Four-time Super Bowl champion and MVP of Super Bowl IX.
Franco Harris was an American professional football player who played fullback for 13 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for Penn State 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 season. A four-time Super Bowl winner with the Steelers, Harris was the MVP of Super Bowl IX and scored the "Immaculate Reception" touchdown, one of professional football's most famous plays.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Fullback
- Born
- 7 March 1950
- Birthplace
- Fort Dix, New Jersey, U.S.
- Died
- 20 December 2022
- Place of death
- Sewickley, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- Draft year
- 1972
- Draft round
- 1
- Draft pick
- 13
Lore & Background
Harris was selected 13th overall in the first round of the 1972 NFL draft by the Steelers despite assistant personnel director Bill Nunn and head coach Chuck Noll preferring Robert Newhouse. In his rookie season, Harris was named NFL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. That season he gained 1,055 yards on 188 carries, a 5.6 yards per carry average, rushed for 10 touchdowns, and caught one touchdown pass.
He was popular with Pittsburgh's Italian-American population; his fans, including Frank Sinatra, dubbed themselves "Franco's Italian Army" and wore army helmets with his number. Harris was chosen for nine consecutive Pro Bowls (1972–1980) and was All-Pro in 1977. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in eight seasons, breaking a record set by Jim Brown. The running back tandem of Harris and Rocky Bleier combined with a strong defense to win four Super Bowls following the 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979 seasons.
Reader's Guide
Franco Harris played 13 professional seasons, gaining 12,120 yards (then 3rd all-time) on 2,949 carries, a 4.1 yards per carry average, and scored 91 rushing touchdowns (then also 3rd). He caught 307 passes for 2,287 yards, a 7.4 yards per reception average, and nine receiving touchdowns. Harris claimed he extended his career and contribution to the team's objectives by avoiding unnecessary contact. Following the 1983 season, Harris asked the Rooney family for a pay raise; they refused, and the Steelers released him during training camp in 1984. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks during the 1984 season, playing just eight games and gaining 170 yards before retiring 192 yards short of Jim Brown's record. Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Did You Know?
- Harris was the first African American as well as the first Italian-American to be named Super Bowl MVP.
- Harris was the MVP of Super Bowl IX, rushing for 158 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries.
- Harris died in his sleep on December 20, 2022, three days before the 50th anniversary of the 'Immaculate Reception.'
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