RIP Franco Harris

[froginmn]

Not TCU related so sorry that's it's a little OT.

Steelers Hall of Fame RB Franco Harris dies at 72

Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored the "Immaculate Reception," considered the most iconic play in NFL history, has died. He was 72.

www.espn.com

Sad as it's three days prior to a planned jersey retirement and two days before the fiftieth anniversary of one of the most famous plays ever.

 

[Dogfrog]

Sat next to him at a little TGI Friday’s bar at Pittsburgh airport maybe ten years ago. Seemed like a real nice guy.

 

[Frog Wild]

We were on a flight to Pittsburgh with him and I hustled off the plane and asked for his autograph, which he gave me. I'm sure that he had heard everything I said to him at least 100 times but he was very gracious.
As a Steelers fan this hurts.

 

[tcudoc]

We were on a flight to Pittsburgh with him and I hustled off the plane and asked for his autograph, which he gave me. I'm sure that he had heard everything I said to him at least 100 times but he was very gracious.
As a Steelers fan this hurts.

I grew up Cowboys fan. Even as a Cowboys fan, a very sad moment. Tons of respect for all of the players in those Steelers teams, but especially Franco.

 

[HornyWartyToad]

I hated him as a player because those Steelers teams were the nemesis of my Oilers, and specifically Franco vs. Bad Earl. Franco played like a 230-lb ballerina and dodged contact, whereas Earl sought out mayhem and inflicted punishment.
All that said, he seemed like a really good dude, and I especially appreciate how he made a point to hold PSU(his alma mater) to account during the Sandusky scandal and after. Solid human being, and in the final analysis not sure what else really matters.

 

[Hoosierfrog]

Franco and Rocky Bleier made for quite a backfield.

 

[WIN]

The Immaculate Reception

 

[ReedFrawg]

Franco was the keynote speaker when I was at the groza event. Got to have dinner with him - what a surreal moment especially growing up a Cowboys fan. Great guy and I couldn’t believe how big and imposing he was physically.

 

[froginmn]

Franco was the keynote speaker when I won the groza. Got to have dinner with him - what a surreal moment especially growing up a Cowboys fan. Great guy and I couldn’t believe how big and imposing he was physically.

Massive humble brag!

 

[HornyWartyToad]

Franco and Rocky Bleier made for quite a backfield.

Not sure if it exists on the inter webs but there was a great long-form piece(cover story) that SI did, back when SI was it for sports journalism, on Rocky's story as a Viet Nam soldier. Wounded so badly made it sound like it was something of a miracle he even survived and could walk, much less play ball at such a high level. Little dude too, but tough as a 2-dollar steak.

 

[Hoosierfrog]

Not sure if it exists on the inter webs but there was a great long-form piece(cover story) that SI did, back when SI was it for sports journalism, on Rocky's story as a Viet Nam soldier. Wounded so badly made it sound like it was something of a miracle he even survived and could walk, much less play ball at such a high level. Little dude too, but tough as a 2-dollar steak.

Had third of one foot missing from a VC mine.

Told my wife he had a foot and a half and she said,