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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday that they will be retiring the number 32 jersey of Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris the day after the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
The four-time Super Bowl champion’s uniform number hadn’t been used since he left the Steelers in 1983, but it was officially made official on Christmas Eve during the Week 16 game between the Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders. will be
“My grandfather used to say, ‘I didn’t win a lot before Franco came here, but I haven’t lost since he came here,'” he said. Steelers President Art Rooney II said. said in a statement“Franco’s influence on the franchise would be hard to overstate.”
Harris had an illustrious career, but is best known for perhaps the most iconic and controversial play in NFL history, the aforementioned Immaculate Reception.
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The Steelers were one point ahead of the Oakland Raiders in 4th and 10th place with 22 seconds remaining in the AFC Divisional Round, held two days before Christmas 1972. The pass was deflected off his Raiders DB Jack Tatum and ricocheted a few yards back but landed in the hands of Harris near midfield, who took the lead.
However, the play has been debated since it happened.
Some believe that the ball actually touched Fukua. In that case, under league rules at the time, Harris’s catch was considered illegal.If an offensive player touched the ball first, only that player was eligible to catch.
Others believe the ball hit the ground before Harris caught it.
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Fans also rushed in shortly after the touchdown, but there was still time on the clock. It took 15 minutes to clear the field to kick the extra point.
The Steelers lost the AFC championship game to the eventual undefeated Super Bowl champions, the Miami Dolphins, the following week.
Although he is best known for one play, Harris was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990, his first year of eligibility.
His 12,120 yards are 15th-most in NFL history, and 11,950 of them came in Pittsburgh, a franchise-high. His 91 rushing touchdowns tie with former stealer Jerome Bettis for 11th all-time.
He has made nine Pro Bowls and won four Super Bowls with the Steelers. He was named his MVP of Super Bowl IX thanks to his 158-yard performance against the Minnesota Vikings.
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Harris is the only player to have his number retired by the Steelers, joining Ernie Stoutner (#70) and Joe Green (#75).