Franco Harris Childhood

Franco Harris was born on May 7, 1950 in Fort Dix, NJ. He is the son of Gina and Cad Harris. Growing up under a father who was in the military, Franco and his siblings knew the meaning of hard work. They would take on small jobs to earn money while still valuing the importance of education. For Franco, he was an athlete and baseball was his sport of choice. However, he ended being great at running the football.

Franco Harris High School Stats and Awards

Harris attended Rancocas Valley High School. He was an all-around athlete as he played baseball, basketball and football. When it came to football, he had to be convinced to play the sport. However, he became very good and earned All-American status. Harris didn't love football, but it was a way for him to get a college education without paying for it. With major college football programs recruiting him, Franco chose Penn State in part due to the school having a particular business course he wanted to take.

Franco Harris College Stats and Notes

Harris played for Penn State from 1969-71. He rushed for 2,002 yards and 24 TDs during his college career. The Nittany Lions played in two bowl games during Harris’ college career, including a 1972 Cotton Bowl win.

Franco Harris NFL Career Stats and Notes

Harris was selected 13th overall in the 1972 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 12 of his 13 years in the NFL with the Steelers. His bruising running style complemented the rugged Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s. Harris was an engine behind the Steelers’ four Super Bowl wins in six years. He crossed the 1,000 yard mark eight times in his career including a career best 1,246 yards in 1975. In 1984, Harris went west and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He only played one season in Seattle before retiring. Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception

As the workhorse for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s, Harris didn’t garner as much attention like his Hall of Fame teammates Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann or Mean Joe Greene. However, what Harris did do was score the most iconic touchdown in NFL history known famously as the ‘Immaculate Reception’! 

During the final minute of the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, the Steelers trailed 7-6 on their own 40 yard line. It was 4th down when Bradshaw dropped back to pass. After eluding one of the Raiders’ pass rushers, Bradshaw fired a pass into the middle of the field intended for running back John Fuqua.  However, the ball ricocheted off of either Fuqua or Raiders hard hitting safety Jack Tatum. The ball is then caught just before it hits the turf by Harris, who sprints down the sideline to the shock of everyone watching the game and scored the game winning TD.

The play to this day is still controversial because there is no clear picture as to who the ball hit off which, depending on who it was, could make Harris’ catch legal or illegal. But as it stands, Harris’ heroics led to an improbable 13-7 Steelers win.