Franco Harris Cause of Death, What Happened?
I’m sorry to hear that you are interested in the death of Franco Harris, a legendary and beloved NFL player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. He passed away on December 21, 2022, at the age of 72, due to a long-standing pulmonary issue. He was best known for his role in the “Immaculate Reception”, one of the most famous plays in NFL history, where he caught a deflected pass and ran for a touchdown in the final seconds of a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders in 1972. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion, a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time All-Pro. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He is survived by his wife Dana Dokmanovich and his son Franco “Dok” Harris.
What is a pulmonary issue?
A pulmonary issue is a condition that affects the lungs and the respiratory system. It can cause breathing problems, coughing, chest pain, and fatigue. Some common pulmonary issues are asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer.
What is the “Immaculate Reception”?
The “Immaculate Reception” is the name given to one of the most famous plays in NFL history. It occurred on December 23, 1972, in the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were trailing 7-6 with 22 seconds left in the game and faced a fourth-and-10 situation at their own 40-yard line. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass intended for running back John “Frenchy” Fuqua, but it was deflected by Raiders safety Jack Tatum. The ball bounced in the air and was caught by Franco Harris near the Raiders’ 35-yard line. Harris ran past several defenders and reached the end zone for a touchdown. The play was initially ruled incomplete by the officials, but after reviewing it, they confirmed that Harris had legally caught the ball before it hit the ground. The Steelers won the game 13-7 and advanced to the AFC Championship Game.
What are some of Franco Harris’ achievements as a player?
Franco Harris had many achievements as a player throughout his career. Some of them are:
- He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft as the 13th overall pick.
- He won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 1972 after rushing for 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- He was part of the Steelers’ dynasty that won four Super Bowls in six years (1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979).
- He was named the Super Bowl IX MVP after rushing for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
- He was selected to nine Pro Bowls (1972-1980) and two All-Pro teams (1977 and 1978).
- He rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight consecutive seasons (1972-1979), which is tied for the third-longest streak in NFL history.
- He finished his career with 12,120 rushing yards and 91 rushing touchdowns, which rank ninth and tenth respectively in NFL history.
- He also had 307 receptions for 2,287 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
- He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.