PITTSBURGH — Christmas Eve is officially “Franco Harris Day” in the City of Pittsburgh, Mayor Ed Gainey announced.
RELATED >> Franco Harris dies at 72, days before 50th anniversary of ‘Immaculate Reception’
“50 years ago today Franco Harris made the immaculate reception and led the way to the Steelers winning 4 Super Bowls,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Today we honor not just his talents on the field, but his success off of it. Pittsburgh will always remember him for his generosity and kind spirit. May his memory is a blessing for all of us.”
PHOTOS: Franco Harris through the years
Harris, a Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer, died overnight on Dec. 21. He was 72.
Franco was the first African-American and the first Italian-American to be named a Super Bowl MVP. His Super Bowl career totals of 101 carries for 354 yards are records, and his four career rushing touchdowns are tied for the second most in Super Bowl history.
RELATED >> Mike Tomlin on Franco Harris: ‘Special Man, Awesome Representation of This Organization’
Condolences from sports figures, celebrities and politicians began pouring in when news of Harris’ passing broke, including from Sen. Jay Costa, who said Harris was a family friend.
RELATED >> Pittsburghers remembering Franco Harris for community outreach efforts
In the lead up to the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Harris during a Steelers press conference.
“He’s just a special man. Forget the player. Obviously, I never knew the player. I know the man and just what an awesome representation of this organization, this community, a guy that embraces all the responsibility that comes with being him,” Tomlin said, in part.
RELATED >> Football community, fans, fellow Pittsburgh Steelers pay tribute to Franco Harris after his death
Harris was also heavily involved in the community, giving a big part of his heart to the Special Olympics and being a staple in Pittsburgh’s Italian-American population.
RELATED >> In Franco Harris, the Steelers found a hero ... and a Way
Harris’s jersey, number 32, will be retired when the Steelers take on the Raiders on Christmas Eve.
RELATED >> Raiders-Steelers will be bittersweet after Harris’ death
The date is the day after the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception when the Steelers trailed the Oakland Raiders 7-to-6 in the fourth quarter of the 1972 divisional playoff game at Three Rivers Stadium. Harris snatched the ball off of a deflection just before the ball hit the ground and raced downfield to score the game-winning touchdown, giving the Steelers their first-ever playoff victory.
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