PITTSBURGH — Armed with a “God Bless Franco” sign and a lifetime of memories, Jim Botti braved the blustery cold Friday to make his way to the North Shore. The Steelers held a re-enactment, of sorts, for the Immaculate Reception, 50 years to the minute, complete with the radio call being pumped through the Acrisure Stadium speakers at 3:41 p.m. sharp.
“I said I’d miss this only when hell freezes over,” Botti grinned, “and we’re pretty close to that today.”
Botti and about 100 others didn’t let temperatures in the negatives and snowy road conditions stop them from a chance to honor the life and times of Franco Harris. Friday’s event turned out to be something of a precursor to Saturday night’s Steelers-Raiders game, which will include a ceremony retiring the No. 32 jersey Harris wore and celebrating the 50th anniversary of what’s widely considered to be the greatest play in NFL history.
