50 years later: Heinz History Center unveils plans to honor Immaculate Reception anniversary

PITTSBURGH — This December marks 50 years since the greatest play in Steelers and NFL history -- the Immaculate Reception.

To celebrate the play’s golden anniversary, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, part of the Senator John Heinz History Center’s family of museums, will be showcasing some special items.

Starting Nov. 9, you can see the football from the iconic play as well as new artifacts from Steelers legend Franco Harris.

“Things didn’t go well. But I still didn’t give up and I kept faith in myself, and things did turn around to where we started winning,” Harris said.

The exhibit will feature the football from the Immaculate Reception play, and the following Harris artifacts:

• Football jersey from Rancocas Valley High School (N.J.)
• “Franco’s Italian Army” helmet
• NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
• Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket

Here are some other ways the Sports Museum is helping to honor the Immaculate Reception’s 50th anniversary:

Special 50th Anniversary Event on Dec. 22

The Sports Museum is partnering with the Pittsburgh Steelers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception during an evening event, “Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception: 50 Years Later,” Thursday, Dec. 22, at 6:30 p.m.

The program will include a lively panel discussion featuring Harris, his teammates, and other special guests as they reflect and share stories about his Hall of Fame career, the 1972 season, and the greatest play in NFL history.

Tickets are on sale now and cost $32 for regular admission and $20 for History Center members.

To purchase tickets for the Dec. 22 event and for more details about the Sports Museum’s Immaculate Reception offerings, visit heinzhistorycenter.org/Immaculate50.

Show Us Your #Francoing Photos

This football season, the Sports Museum is challenging Steelers Nation to celebrate the play’s 50th anniversary by doing their best Immaculate Reception impression and posting “Francoing” photos to social media.

Fans can post photos of themselves #Francoing by tagging the History Center on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. Each fan will be automatically entered to win a Black & Gold prize package that will include tickets to the Dec. 22 event, exclusive merchandise, and more!

The History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is a museum within a museum, comprehensively presenting the region’s remarkable sports story through hundreds of artifacts and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.

The History Center and Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in the city’s Strip District. The History Center’s family of museums includes the Sports Museum; the Fort Pitt Museum in historic Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Pa., in Washington County. More information is available at heinzhistorycenter.org.

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