Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris died Tuesday night aged 72.
Harris’ death was confirmed to The Associated Press (AP) by his son, who did not provide a cause, only that his father died overnight.
“We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and most importantly, we have lost one of the finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet,” Pro Football of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement shared by The AP.
Harris was born in 1950 to an African American father and Italian mother, and earned himself a scholarship to Penn State University in 1968, according to Britannica. He was a member of four Super Bowl winning teams, but is best known for his role in the most famous play in NFL history — “The Immaculate Reception” — for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
RIP Franco Harris
The immaculate reception happened 50 years ago this week.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) December 21, 2022
The play occurred with 22-seconds left on the clock, with the Steelers trailing behind the Oakland Raiders with 7-6. Star quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass, which was deflected toward the ground by the opposing team, before Harris appeared, seemingly from the ether, and grabbed the ball, taking it all the way to the end zone. (RELATED: College Linebacker Luke Knox, Brother Of NFL Player Dawson Knox, Dead At 22)
While some have argued the legitimacy of the play, claiming that the ball hit the ground before Harris caught it, it was ruled a touchdown. The Steelers won the game.