Franco Harris, a football legend who played running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, died at 72. His death is sad because it happened just days before the Steelers were going to retire his No. 32 jersey on the 50th anniversary of his “immaculate reception” play at Acrisure Stadium. Most people remember the NFL Hall of Fame player for an amazing catch he made in the AFC Divisional Playoffs in 1972.
The news was terrible for sports fans everywhere. What caused Franco Harris to die? What we know is as follows.
What Was Franco Harris’s Cause of Death?
Jim Porter, the president of the Professional Football Hall of Fame, said in a statement to WTAE, “We lost a great football player, a great person to represent the Hall, and, most importantly, one of the nicest men anyone will ever meet. Franco changed not only the game of football but also the lives of many people in very positive ways.”
The news source also said that it wasn’t clear right away what killed Franco. Dok, Franco’s son, told the Associated Press that his father died “overnight,” but he didn’t say why.
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How Franco Harris’s Rose to Fame?
Franco is best known for his fantastic play in 1972 when he kept running while everyone else on the field stopped. This helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win a playoff game against Oakland. It was the first playoff win for the Steelers in 40 years. It was called the “immaculate reception.” From 1972 to 1983, Franco played for the Steelers.
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Franco’s football career went through the roof after that miraculous play. He played for 12 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one year with the Seattle Seahawks before he retired. Franco stopped playing football and opened a bakery. He also got involved in charity work and became the chairman of Pittsburgh Promise, which helps Pittsburgh public school kids get college scholarships.
Harris’s wife, Dana Dokmanovich, and son, Dok, are the only people who will remember him.
