Harris, Raiders forever linked by Immaculate Reception
Former Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, who died Wednesday morning at age 72, will forever be linked to the Raiders for his role in one of the most historic plays in sports history.
On the Dec. 23, 1972, play known as the Immaculate Reception, Harris plucked the football off the turf of Three Rivers Stadium in the closing seconds of the AFC Divisional playoffs and ran it 45 yards for a game-winning touchdown to beat the Raiders.
As the years have gone on, it’s a moment that continues to live on — even for a younger generation that wasn’t alive to witness it. Like a young Raiders fan growing up in California by the name of Derek Carr.
“Oh, absolutely,” the Raiders’ quarterback said Wednesday of Harris’ play. “I wasn’t alive to watch when he played, but my dad would have some really good memories.”
The Raiders and Steelers play Saturday in Pittsburgh on the 50th anniversary of that play, and the NFL had plans to celebrate it throughout the telecast. In addition, Harris’ No. 32 was being retired by the Steelers during a halftime ceremony.
No cause of death was given for Harris’ death. The NFL community mourned the loss of one of its legends.
“He obviously was an iconic player, Hall of Fame player and a great ambassador for our game and the league,” said Raiders coach Josh McDaniels.
In a statement, the Raiders organization expressed sadness over the death of Harris.
“Franco was an unmatched competitor on the field and one of the game’s great ambassadors throughout his life. From his role in the ‘Immaculate Reception’ as a rookie to countless battles on the gridiron, Franco will always be an important part of Raiders history.”
In a statement, Steelers president Art Rooney II wrote: “It is difficult to find the appropriate words to describe Franco Harris’ impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his teammates, the City of Pittsburgh and Steelers Nation. From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field. He never stopped giving back in so many ways. He touched so many, and he was loved by so many.”
Harris ran for 12,120 yards over his career and won four Super Bowl championships with the Steelers. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Known for his kind, caring demeanor and smooth running back style, the New Jersey native and Penn State alum was one of the most recognizable faces and names in professional sports during a career that coincided with the 1970s dominance of the Steelers and the memorable matchups they had with the Raiders.
And, of course, the singular moment that has endured for a half-century, in which Harris saved the Steelers from certain defeat as the football world watched in astonishment.
The play was clouded in controversy. The pass from Terry Bradshaw, which was intended for Frenchy Fuqua, careened backward after Fuqua and Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum collided simultaneously as the ball arrived in their area.
By rule at that time, a ball that deflected off an offensive player could not be immediately taken from the air by a fellow offensive player. The question was, did the ball hit Fuqua first? Or Tatum? Or did it hit both players?
On the field, the play was ruled a touchdown by the back judge. No other referee made a call. Although there was no replay at the time, the officials did confer by phone with the NFL’s supervisor of officials, Art McNally. After conferring, the touchdown was upheld.
Over the years, Harris and his Raiders’ opponents grew close, especially Raiders linebacker Phil Villapiano. Each invited the other to home games in Pittsburgh and Oakland to remember the play.
Villapiano will be in Pittsburgh on Saturday as a participant in the ceremony for Harris. In a text to his daughter, Andrea, that was shared with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Villapiano wrote: “We will turn this into a celebration of his life somehow.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on Twitter.
