Under the baobab: Remembering Franco Harris, a beloved treasure who never forgot his roots
Heroes appear among us at unexpected times to perform miraculous accomplishments. So it was in 1972 in a playoff game between the Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. The Steelers were a second-rate team. They had never won a playoff game and were losing this one 7-6 with 22 seconds left to play. Pittsburgh had the ball on its 40-yard line, fourth and ten. It was time for a Hail Mary. Terry Bradshaw went back and after avoiding a sack, threw a desperation pass to his second or third option, half back John Fuqua who was being guarded by Jack Tatum. Fuqua, Tatum and the ball arrived at the same time. The ball ricocheted away from the collision. A young rookie fullback who was blocking for Bradshaw saw the ball flying. Following what he had been taught by his college coach and mentor, Joe Paterno, Franco Harris “went to the ball.”
The world saw what happened next. With five seconds remaining Franco snatched the ball inches above the ground. He avoided a couple of tackles and scored the game-winning touchdown. The play became known as the “Immaculate Reception.” It changed his life and the identity of the Steelers forever. Harris was named rookie of the year. 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. Though they didn’t win in ‘72, the Steelers won four Super Bowls in the ‘70s, establishing themselves as one of the best teams in pro ball.
The world saw the play, but Franco didn’t remember it. During an interview on the Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo show, he said,
“You know what, when I watch the film I can’t remember anything of the play past just leaving the backfield. But when I see the film, and I see it in real time, it just blows my mind how quick that is. ... And I have no idea how I reacted so quickly, and got it and kept in stride. And even looked up a little bit to try and get the lay of the land ... I’m saying, ‘How did all that happen in just those few seconds?”
I first met Franco before I came to Penn State. I was honored to be in a commercial with him for Barbican, a nonalcoholic beer. We shot it in a bar. The script called for me to tell him to go out for a pass. I threw him a bottle and they cut to the “Reception.” It was hokie moment but it was a proud moment in my commercial career.
I believe Franco’s most important work came after 1972. In 1990, he and his PSU teammate Lydell Mitchell started Super Bakery. They produced nutrition-oriented foods for schoolchildren, including the Super Donut that has been served to students at public schools in the eastern United States. In August 2008, Harris was part of the Pennsylvania delegation that named Barack Obama the Democratic Party’s candidate for president. Locally he never forgot his roots or his friends. He was the celebrity fixture at the local Special Olympics. He was there to greet all the runners during the Paterno 5K run.
On Saturday, the Steelers commemorated the 50th anniversary of the most memorable moment in NFL playoffs by retiring Harris’ number 32. He is only the third Steeler player so honored. He was not on the field to receive it. As we know, Franco Harris died a few days before on Dec. 20.
To those of us privileged to know him, Franco Harris was a beloved treasure and will be sorely missed in our community. Ride on, Franco.