Franco Harris, the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and Hall of Famer has been confirmed dead aged 72, get to know more about his brief bio, professional career, cause of death and net worth
Harris was famous for his “Immaculate Reception”, which is still widely considered as the most iconic play in NFL history.
Franco Harris Cause Of Death, Age, Parents, Wife, NFL Stats, College, Net Worth 2022
My deepest condolences go out to the family & friends on the loss of the great @francoharrishof. An incredible football player but more importantly an incredible human being that inspired me in my life. #FrancoHarris will be missed. @steelers @gmfb @NFL pic.twitter.com/7v3efJ9Yju
— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) December 21, 2022
Woke up this morning to the devastating news that my friend Franco Harris passed away during the night. One of the kindest, gentlest men I have ever known. He was a great person & great teammate. Hall of Fame player but so much more than that. A tremendous role model for me! pic.twitter.com/OswJ82x7I1
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) December 21, 2022
Franco’s son Dok, confirmed the dead of his father although he did not mention a cause of death. The legendary NFL player’s death comes just two days before the 50th anniversary of his most famous “Immaculate play”.
It also comes just three days before Pittsburgh were planning to retire his No. 32 jersey during an official ceremony.
Harris is survived by his wife, Dana Dokmanovich, and his son, Dok with his net worth at $3 million. After playing college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, he was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft.
His father, Cad Harris, served in WWII and was stationed in Italy and mother, Gina Parenti Harris, was a native Italian who became a war bride.
Franco Harris “Immaculate Reception”
During a playoff game against Oakland in 1972, Pittsburgh were trailing 7-6 and facing fourth-and-10 from their own 40-yard line. With just 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Harris’ teammate Bradshaw wandered back and threw deep towards running back French Fuqua.
Fuqua collided with the Oakland defensive back Jack Tatum, while sending the ball back towards Harris in the midfield. Despite nearly everyone else on the field coming to halt, Harris decided to continue running and snatched the ball just inches above the Three Rivers Stadium turf.
He then outraced several Raider defenders who were left stunned, and eventually gave the Steelers their first playoff victory. In 2020, the NFL celebrated its 100th anniversary season, and Harris’ Immaculate Reception was voted the greatest play in NFL history.
Harris commented about his achievement stating :
“That play really represents our teams of the ’70s”.
Franco Harris Brief Bio
Franco Harris was born on March 7, 1950, in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Harris played college football at Penn State, before Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll picked him for the Steelers. Harris was their 13th overall pick in the 1972 draft.
The running back made an immediate impact winning the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award in 1972. During his first season, he rushed a then-team-rookie record of 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Pittsburgh had a large Italian-American population who keenly embraced Harris. Two local businessmen founded the “Franco’s Italian Army”, which was an affirmation of Harris’ roots as e was the son of an African-American father and an Italian mother.
Professional Career
Harris was an intensely quiet player who preferred to let his play do the talking. He spent about 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh as the engine behind their offense. Throughout his professional career, Harris rushed 1,000 yards on average in a season. Interestingly, five of them came when he played a 14-game schedule.
Harris also piled up another 1,556 yards rushing and 16 rushing touchdowns during the playoffs. Despite his gaudy numbers, Harris stressed he was just one cog in an extraordinary machine.
Despite all the success he attained during his time in Pittsburgh it ended in a messy manner as the Steelers cut him before the 1984 season. Head Coach Noll, who had heavily depended on Harris for so many seasons famously answered “Franco who?” when reports asked about Harris.
Harris briefly signed with Seattle following that and ran just 170 yards across eight games. He was ultimately released midseason and retired as the NFL’s third all-time leading rusher.
Back in 2006, Harris said “I don’t even think about that [anymore]. I’m still black and gold.”
Career Highlights And Achievements
During his professional career, Harris, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound running back rushed 158 yards and scored a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX. He also went on to win the game’s MVP award.
Harris played in four Super Bowl games and scored at least once in three of them. His career record of 354 yards rushing in the Super Bowl still remains a record four decades following his retirement. Later in 1990, Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Life Post Retirement
Following his retirement, Harris remained in Pittsburgh where he opened up a bakery. He also got involved in various charities, including the “Pittsburgh Promise” which he served as the chairman. The charity provides college scholarship opportunities for students from the Pittsburgh Public School. Harris leaves behind his wife, Dana Dokmanovich, and his son, Dok.
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