The Steelers’ Victory in the ’70s: Franco Harris, the First Player in Super Bowl IX, and the Birth of Franco’s Italian Army

“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s,” Harris recalled after the reception was voted the greatest play in NFL history in 2020 during the league’s 100th anniversary season.

His death comes two days before the 50th anniversary of the play that provided the jolt that helped transform the Steelers from also-rans into the NFL’s elite and three days before Pittsburgh is scheduled to retire his No. 32 during a ceremony at halftime of its game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound workhorse from Penn State, found himself in the center of it all. He became the first player in Super Bowl IX to run for 158 yards and a touchdown in a single game, and he also won the most valuable player award. He scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL’s biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.

With the Pens trailing by a point, Bradshaw threw a pass to French Fuqua who ran through the field for a touchdown with 22 seconds left in the game. The ball was sent back toward the center of the field after Oakland’s Jack Tatum and Fuqua collided.

While the Steelers fell the next week to Miami in the AFC Championship, Pittsburgh was on its way to becoming the dominant team of the 1970s, twice winning back-to-back Super Bowls, first after the 1974 and 1975 seasons and again after the 1978 and 1979 seasons.

“When (Noll) drafted Franco Harris, he gave the offense heart, he gave it discipline, he gave it desire, he gave it the ability to win a championship in Pittsburgh,” Steelers Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann said of his frequent roommate on team road trips.

Harris was immediately embraced by the city’s large Italian- American population, which was led by two local businessmen who established “Franco’s Italian Army.” The name “Franco’s Italian Army” was a nod to Harris’ African American father and Italian mother.

The Football Story of Larry Harris. A tribute to Larry Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers on the 50th anniversary of his Immaculate Reception

Eight times he topped 1,000 yards rushing in a season, including five times while playing a 14-game schedule. He scored 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdown in the playoffs, second only to Smith.

Harris said in his Hall of Fame speech that each player brought a piece to help make the decade happen. Each player had their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as their own thinking and method, just each of them. It was amazing, all of them came together, and it stayed together to forge the greatest team of all time.

Harris signed with Seattle, running for just 170 yards in eight games before being released in midseason. He retired as the third most prolific player in the history of the National Football League behind Walter and Jim Brown.

Harris was still in Pittsburgh after he retired, opening a bakery, and becoming involved in several charities, including the “Pittsburgh Promise,” which gives college scholarship opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students.

Jim Porter, President of the Hall of Fame said that they have lost an incredible football player and an ambassador to the Hall.

The football story will be told forever by historians and the Hall of Fame. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness off the field.”

What it did for the season in terms of its trajectory. What it’s done for this franchise. There’s many things that make it the play that it is. The most significant play in the history of the game.”

I think it’s a good story. Bradshaw told the website that they add a little to it because it is better. I had a blast messing with him about catching the ball. We rarely threw the ball to him. It’s a good story. I enjoy these stories more than ever because I’m 74.

On Friday, Harris was scheduled to gather with his 1972 teammates at the Immaculate Reception monument, which is located at the exact spot Harris made the catch at the since-demolished Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The original radio broadcast of the play will also be played, according to the Steelers.

“Absolutely shocked. On the week when the Steelers and Raiders play to remember the 50th anniversary of his Immaculate Reception, a user said. It’s not necessary to be a Pittsburgh fan to be a #FrancoHarris fan. Rest in power, Champion.”