Washington (AFP) - Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, the man whose stunning catch in an NFL play-off game is celebrated as the "Immaculate Reception," has died at the age of 72, his club announced.
Harris's death comes just days before the 50th anniversary of his famous grab against the Oakland Raiders in 1972.
On December 23, 1972, the Steelers were down by a point with just under 30 seconds to play when quarterback Terry Bradshaw's pass found John Fuqua.
The ball somehow bounced free, but Harris picked it up just inches from the ground and ran it nearly half the length of the field for a touchdown, giving the Steelers the win.
Harris, a Hall of Famer, spent 13 seasons in the NFL -- 12 of them in Pittsburgh -- and was a four-time Super Bowl winner in 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979.
In all, he rushed for 12,120 yards.
"It is difficult to find the appropriate words to describe Franco Harris' impact," said Steelers president Art Rooney.
"From his rookie season, which included the Immaculate Reception, through the next 50 years, Franco brought joy to people on and off the field."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Harris "changed the way people thought of the Steelers, of Pittsburgh, and of the NFL."
"He meant so much to Steelers fans as the Hall of Fame running back who helped form the nucleus of the team's dynasty of the '70s, but he was much more.He was a gentle soul who touched so many."
United States President Joe Biden said Harris was "a dear friend, a good man, and a great American" and recalled how he had made a personal impact for his family.
Biden's first wife and infant daughter had been killed in a car accident, 50 years ago, and his two young sons were badly injured.
"I rarely left my boys' bedside until they got better.But one day I did to go shopping for them.When I returned, they were smiling for the first time since the accident," Biden recalled, in a statement.
"Art Rooney, the generous and honorable owner of the Steelers, had flown out with a couple of players, including Franco, and the tough as nails Rocky Bleier.Busy with their own lives, they took the time to be with my boys, sign footballs, and then left with no publicity.A small act of kindness that meant the world to us," he added.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Harris had continued to take a keen interest in young players at the team long after his retirement from the game.
"I just admire and loved the man," Tomlin said.
"There was so much to be learned from him in terms of how he conducted himself, how he embraced the responsibilities of being Franco.For Steelers Nation, this community, the Penn State followers, he just embraced it all and did it with grace and class and patience and time for people," he added.
