Franco Harris - RIP

[Classof09]

Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris has died at the age of 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

www.wtae.com

 

[Bones80]

Sad to see. One of my all time favorites. True Penn State legend. Will be missed.

 

[WyomingLion]

NO, NO……….

 

[bfpsu]

Horrible…RIP Franco

 

[rudedude]

Oh man, that is awful news. Penn State legend.

 

[psuro]

Oh wow......

 

[Relayer]

Is this true? Franco was just on the radio yesterday afternoon with Chris Russo talking about the Immaculate Reception.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

I’m just shocked. Such a great player and even better person. He will be missed. RIP Franco.

 

[Omar81]

Horrible news at any time, but especially three days before the 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception.

 

[Mrdibbs]

RIP, Franco, RIP.

My heart is broken today at the passing of a Penn State legend, a Steelers legend, a Pittsburgh legend and a wonderful human being.

 

[MacNit]

Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris has died at the age of 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

www.wtae.com

Stunning news.

Was super privileged to sit next to him watching the Auburn game in September…talked about the Immaculate Reception, Joe, the AFC Championship game in 1972 against Miami, and just life in general.

Devastating to lose such a great humanitarian, Steeler, and Penn State stalwart/warrior.

 

[JohnJumba]

Totally unexpected. A sad day.

 

[bbrown]

Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris has died at the age of 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

www.wtae.com

Holy cow!!! The Steelers are celebrating his Immaculate Reception this weekend. So sad.

 

[CyphaPSU]

Too soon.

 

[LionJim]

RIP to a legend.

 

[nittanyfan333]

oh no.... this is a bad one.

RIP and prayers for the Harris family

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

Godspeed Franco....you will be missed. I am in shock.

 

[Bwifan]

Stunned and sad to literally just hear this news. Great football player and better person. Fought for Joe's legacy non stop. RIP Franco may our Lord wrap his arms around you welcoming you home and give your family peace.

 

[WSTLion87]

Just rolled out of bed and am shocked and very saddened... My nephew texted me with the news... RIP Franco. He was my childhood idol along with Willie Stargell and Joe Paterno.
While I was too young to remember the "Immaculate Reception" my favorite Franco memory was during Super Bowl XIII when he was jawing with Cowboys showboat "Hollywood" Henderson after a play. The next play he ran for a touchdown and left Henderson in the dust! Franco was such a humble man and humanitarian. He did so much for the entire community of Pittsburgh and Penn State. Heaven is lucky to have him!

 

[PSU86]

Class act, and loyal PSU guy. RIP.

 

[headlock_]

Franco was the consummate ambassador for PSU, the Steelers and football in general. A role model of civility and dignity, Franco leaves this world a little less compassionate. RIP.

 

[PSUAXE70]

A shocking and sudden loss to all Penn State fans of one of the most beloved players in history.

 

[Frank Jameslin]

Horrible news at any time, but especially three days before the 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception.

Yes...just an extra added kick in the nuts.

 

[cac@PSU]

I was at the game for the famous play by Franco in 1972. Heis my favorite Stee;er and PSU player

 

[ODShowtime]

Horrible news at any time, but especially three days before the 50th anniversary celebration of the Immaculate Reception.

He couldn't be allowed one more week to see his jersey retired? F all this. This sucks.

RIP to a real warrior on the field and off. I met him once and he was very gracious. My parents witnessed the IR. God bless his family.

 

[PSU73]

Totally shocked and saddened by this news. His brother Pete died at an early age of a heart attack.

 

[84lion]

Bummer. Great to see though that it made the lead story on the Atlanta morning news. My wife: "who's Franco Harris?" Me: explanation of the Immaculate Reception (which they thankfully showed in detail on the news) and the fact that he was a Penn Stater.

Huge, gigantic RIP. He will be missed.

 

[AvgUser]

Damn. This one brings a tear to my eye.

I just started getting in to the Steelers and the entire NFL in ~1972. Franco was right there. He'd always been there.
I applaud him for standing up for JoePa. RIP, Franco.

 

[jp3272]

Sorry to hear this…

 

[PhillyBillyReprise]

I saw the immaculate reception in my parent's basement. My brother was there. I remember that Oakland had scored and the announcer said that it was over for the Steelers. Then the immaculate reception. I said "in your face, announcer."

R. I. P. Franco

 

[step.eng69]

RIP, Franco, RIP.

My heart is broken today at the passing of a Penn State legend, a Steelers legend, a Pittsburgh legend and a wonderful human being.

MrDidds,
My heart is also heavy, feels very similar to when Joe passed.

 

[PSU Mike]

Noooooooo! What a great guy - one in a million these days. R.I.P., Franco.

I hate this time of year. Tomorrow will be 20 years without Joe Strummer. One of my best friends died on Dec 28, 2013, with my grandfather going two days later on the 30th. And I lost my first Bengal cat Max way too young on Dec 31, 2002.

 

[Big_O]

Hate the Stoolers, but I was a big fan of a few of their players. Franco was one of them along with the other Penn Stater Jack Ham. Hard to pick my most favorite between the two, except Franco’s huge support of JoePa puts him over the top for me. Also liked the undersized Jack Lambert who grew up about 45 minutes from me and played at Kent State when my cousin was attending school there.

 

[Chatz5531]

RIP to a really good man.

 

[Meat Lab]

Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris has died at the age of 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

www.wtae.com

I was 9 years old with the entire family watching and cheering. We weren’t even Steeler fans. We were Penn State proud. I also remember asking my Pop what “Dobre Shunka” meant.

God bless you Franco. Say hi to my Pop when you see him.

 

[BobPSU92]

I’m stunned. Just stunned.

 

[ApexLion]

Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris dead at 72

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris has died at the age of 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.

www.wtae.com

Omg. I’m truly saddened. He was my player growing up. Too soon God but I know he is doing something important up there.

The Grand Experiment will live on due to Franco.

 

[SouthHalls410]

I’m so sad. I was one of the only little girls in my neighborhood running around pretending I was Franco. He has always been one of the faces of the Steelers. I feel like a big piece of my childhood died. May he rest in the Eternal peace of Our Lord.

 

[bbrown]

Omg. I’m truly saddened. He was my player growing up. Too soon God but I know he is doing something important up there.

The Grand Experiment will live on due to Franco.

Yea very sad. I just saw an interview with him and he looked pretty good.
There are a bunch of former Steelers in the "burgh" to celebrate the Immaculate reception and the Steelers retiring his jersey (only Joe Greene and Ernie Stautner have had theirs retired).
So very sad.
Also saw a recent interview with Mel Blount about the Immaculate Reception and holy cow that guy looks amazing. I think he's (Mel) is 73.
Roll on Franco's Italian Army.

 

[BobPSU92]

On the bright side, Franco and Joe are together again.