Franco Harris Biography - Throwback Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey

Franco Harris Biography

Franco Harris was the unique kind of football player who saved his best performances for the most critical games.  One of football's legendary "money" players, he seemed to have an internal alarm clock that would ring when his team needed him most.  In 12 years with Pttsburgh, Franco rushed for 100 yards 47 times, and 32 of those games came in the second half of the schedule.  When the Steelers were slugging it out for the final division spot against their rivals, Franco Harris was playing at his best.

How important was Fanco Harris to Pittsburgh? The team had never made it to the playoffs before he arrived in 1972.  In his first season in the NFL, he tore through the league and became only the fifth rookie at the time, ever to run for 1,000 yards.  He quickly became such a crowd favorite, that his devoted fans tarted calling themselves "Franco's Army."

In a frigid 1972 playoff game, Franco Harris delivered one of the most dramatic and memorable moments in football history.  With the Pittsburgh Steelers trailing the favored Oakland Raiders late in the game, Harris snared a deflected Terry Bradshaw pass and sprinted 60 yards for the winning touchdown.  The "Immaculate Reception", as it is now known, was his first clutch playoff moment, but it wouldn't be his last.

Two years later in Pittsburgh's three postseason victories, he rushed for 343 yards and found the end zone six times.  He scored the winning touchdown in two games, including Super Bowl IX.  In that championship game, he bruised the vaunted Minnesota Purple People Eater defense for 158 yards and was named the Most Valuable Player.

During Franco's illustrious career with the Steelers, the big, bearded running back led Pittsburgh to 10 postseason appearances. Four of those playoff runs finshed with Franco Harris and his teammates being sized for Super Bowl rings.  A fitting reward for one of the game's best money players ever.

Franco Harris Biography Timeline

• Born : March 7, 1950 (One of nine children).
• Age 10 : Helps supplement family income by shining shoes and bagging groceries at Fort Dix army base.
• Age 15 : Stars in baseball, basketball, and football at Rancocas Valley High School.
• Age 16 : Leads high school football team to 9-0 record and county championship.
• Age 19 : Enrolls at Penn State.  Named All American honerable mention as a sophomore.
• Age 21 : Scores two touchdowns in college All Star game.  Drafted in first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• 1972 : Fifth rookie to ever rush for 1000 yards. Named NFL Rookie of the Year.
• 1974 : Records second 1000 yard season. Scores 3 TDs in playoff game.
• 1975 : Wins first Super Bowl. Named MVP
• 1980 : Scores two TDs in fourth Super Bowl victory.  Reaches 9,000 career rushing mark.

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