The Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL group proceed to mourn the shortage of legend Franco Harris. The Hall of Famer died this week on the age of 72.
Merely hours sooner than his demise, Harris did a radio interview Tuesday with Chris “Mad Canine” Russo on his current, “Mad Canine Unleashed,” on SiriusXM. It was Harris’ ultimate recognized interview.
Harris joined Russo’s program to debate his well-known “Immaculate Reception,” which occurred 50 years up to now Friday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Doing good, unbelievable,” Harris replied when Russo requested him how he was feeling. “And as you talked about, 50 years up to now, and it feels mannequin new.”
WTAE first reported the stunning details about Harris’ demise. His clarification for demise was not immediately recognized.
NFL LEGEND FRANCO HARRIS, KNOWN FOR ‘IMMACULATE RECEPTION,’ DEAD AT 72
The Steelers had been set to retire Harris’ No. 32 this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium and rejoice the fiftieth anniversary of his catch, which obtained right here in the direction of the Oakland Raiders inside the 1972 AFC divisional playoffs all through his rookie season.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talked about Harris’ catch Tuesday when he addressed reporters.
“I was in Half 135 that day. I was eight months outdated. I really feel it’s humorous. Surprisingly, I’ve most probably met 75,000 people who had been there that day,” Tomlin talked about. “It’s merely a form of beautiful points inside the historic previous of our recreation.
“It’s humbling to be in shut proximity to it, to work for this group, to understand its impression on this group, the career it spawned in Franco [Harris]a gold-jacket career, what it did for them that season by means of altering the trajectory of that season, what it’s accomplished for this franchise …
“There are many points that make it the play that it is and primarily probably the most very important play inside the historic previous of our recreation. It’s merely an honor to be in proximity to it. To know the individual involved, to call Pittsburgh home, and so it’s superior to be a part of and to witness. Nonetheless, on the equivalent time, we understand that we have now enterprise, we have now present-day enterprise, and the best approach we’ll honor him and that is by performing. We ‘re going to work terribly laborious to rearrange ourselves foremost as a lot because it.”
Harris immediately made an impression for Pittsburgh when he was drafted out of Penn State in 1972. He was the Offensive Rookie of the 12 months after dashing for 1.055 yards and 10 touchdowns.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPION RUNNING BACK IN HOSPICE CARE BATTLING LIVER CANCER, FORMER TEAMMATES SAY
The “Immaculate Reception” obtained right here with the Steelers trailing the Raiders, 7-6, and going via a 4th-and-10 state of affairs on their very personal 44-yard line with 22 seconds remaining inside the recreation. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw was looking out for John “Frenchy” Fuqua when he threw the ball deep downfield, nonetheless Harris was working within the equivalent path when the ball come what may popped off Fuqua and landed in Harris’ palms.
Harris sprinted down the left sideline, and the rest is historic previous. It was the first playoff recreation the Steelers had ever acquired.
In 2020, the play was celebrated as one of the best inside the NFL’s 100-year historic previous.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Harris rushed for 12,120 yards in his career and acquired 4 Super Bowl titles with the Steelers in the middle of the Nineteen Seventies.