It was already historically appropriate the Steelers would play host to the Las Vegas Raiders just one day past the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the greatest play in NFL history.
But, to further honor the moment that changed the course of their franchise, the Steelers will hold a weekend-long celebration that will include retiring the No. 32 jersey of the game’s hero — running back Franco Harris — during halftime of their Christmas Eve home game against the Raiders.
Harris, whose catch of a deflected pass and winning touchdown in 1972 gave the Steelers their first-ever playoff victory in the 38-year history of the franchise, becomes only the third Steelers player to have his number retired. The others are Joe Greene (75) and Ernie Stautner (70).
“What an honor for me to have my No. 32 jersey hang alongside Ernie Stautner and my longtime friend and teammate, Joe Greene,” Harris said. “I’m blown away with this honor.”
The announcement was made Tuesday by Steelers president Art Rooney II, who presented Harris with a jersey with a 50th anniversary patch at a press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. The Steelers will wear that special jersey for the Raiders game only.
“The Immaculate Reception marked the turning point in franchise history,” Rooney said. “My grandfather (Art Rooney Sr.) was quoted once, ‘Before Franco got here, we didn’t win much. Since he got here, we didn’t lose.’ ”
As part of the celebration, the Steelers will hold a ceremony the day before the game at a marker that sits outside Acrisure Stadium on General Robinson Street commemorating the exact spot where Harris caught the pass that deflected off running back Frenchy Fuqua and sent the Steelers to the AFC championship game. The ceremony will be held at 3:29 p.m., the exact time Harris scored the winning 60-yard touchdown with five seconds remaining. Jack Fleming’s radio replay of the moment will be broadcast.
Several former members of the Raiders, including linebacker Phil Villapiano, along with Harris’ former teammates, are expected to attend the ceremony.
While the Steelers had retired only two jerseys from their glorious past, they had made a practice to never give out the numbers from some of their other Hall of Fame players, including Harris, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Lambert, Mike Webster, Dermontti Dawson and Jerome Bettis.
Rooney said the Steelers will continue “taking our time” about retiring jersey numbers, but he thought it was time to make an exception for Harris because of the anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Once he arrived as a No. 1 draft choice in 1972, Harris gained a national cult following with his “Franco’s Italian Army” fan club that included Frank Sinatra and helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls in a six-year span.
“Franco’s impact on our franchise is hard to overestimate,” Rooney said. “It’s a long overdue jersey retirement, given Franco’s remarkable contributions to the Team of the Decade.”
But it was one glorious, unforgettable play that changed the fortunes of a franchise that had come to be known as the “Loveable Losers,” posting just seven winning records since the Chief, Art Rooney Sr., founded the team in 1933.
It spawned five decades of countless replays, narratives and barroom debates. Did it or didn’t it? Did the ball hit off John “Frenchy” Fuqua, or was it propelled backward by Raiders safety Jack Tatum? Only two types of people think they know for certain — those who root for the Steelers and those who live and die with the Raiders.
Trailing 7-6 and facing 4th-and-8 at their own 40 with 22 seconds remaining, Bradshaw escaped pressure and fired a pass into the middle of the field for Fuqua. The ball and Tatum arrived at the same instant, propelling the ball 8 yards backward and seemingly ending the game.
However, Harris caught the deflected pass at the Raiders’ 42 — he said his former college coach, Joe Paterno, taught him to always follow the ball — and raced down the left sideline. He avoided one last tackle from Raiders cornerback Jimmy Warren at the 10 and tight-roped into the end zone, sending fans pouring onto the Three Rivers Stadium field, even though five seconds remained.
“I know this is hard to believe, but when I left the backfield to try to be an outlet pass when Bradshaw was scrambling, I started taking a few steps to the ball, and I remember nothing after that,” Harris said. “The only thing I remember is stiff-arming Jimmy Warren going into the end zone. I don’t remember seeing a ball. I don’t remember seeing a collision. I don’t remember anything.”
According to NFL rules at the time, a receiver could not legally catch a pass that had been touched, batted or deflected by another offensive player. Officials were not certain if Bradshaw's pass had hit Fuqua or Tatum when the ball was propelled backward. They could not use instant replay because it wasn’t in effect back then.
Sadly, the person who most deserved to enjoy the Immaculate Reception is the one who missed the play. Thinking the outcome was decided, Art Rooney Sr. had already left the press box to head to the locker room to console and shake hands with his players. “The Chief” was on the elevator at Three Rivers Stadium when the play occurred and didn’t know what happened. Bob McCartney, the team’s videographer, told him when he got to the locker room.
The moment was so special people remember where they were or what they were doing. At the time, television blackout rules prevented the game from being broadcast in the Pittsburgh area, but it has been replayed so many times that people who weren’t at the game still believe they were — or at least say they were.
“It’s hard to believe it’s 50 years,” Harris said. “To have it so alive and still thrilling and exciting really says a lot and means a lot.”
Then, he added, “I thank the Steelers and Art for keeping the legacy alive.”
Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and Twitter @gerrydulac.
First Published: September 6, 2022, 5:31 p.m.
