A steady stream of passersby — worshippers, really — could be found at the Immaculate Reception landmark on the North Shore, almost literally in the shadow of Acrisure Stadium, where a No. 32 banner was quickly hung by staff members working Wednesday morning.
From Pittsburgh regulars to even Pittsburgh royalty, many felt compelled to stand at the spot where the famous play happened, and think about the man who made it so.
“We had some time to come pay our respects to him. It’s actually a good day,” said Frank Buffalini of Herminie, the sun shining brightly over his left shoulder. “It’s a sad day for a little bit, but then it’s gonna turn good.”
Buffalini and his wife, Rebecca, chose to think positive rather than mourn the loss of Harris. They both heard the stunning news early Wednesday, around 5:55 a.m. Their initial thoughts weren’t about 1,000-yard seasons or Super Bowl victories. For Frank, it was about seeing Harris all around town, be it his statue at the airport or in-person at the Labor Day parade. For Rebecca, she was trying to find a photo on her phone of herself and Harris, because what longtime member of Steelers Nation doesn't have one of those?
“We were big Franco fans,” Rebecca said, shortly after placing her right hand on the plaque. “We came to almost every game.”
They planned to head to the Strip District and be around others in the community who feel the same way they do about Harris, maybe purchase some new merchandise. That step was already done by the time Susan Rooney-Grove and her son Jack Lewis arrived at the monument.
Daughter and grandchild of Art Rooney Jr. — the son of the team founder who ran the 1972 draft that produced Harris as a Steeler — Rooney-Grove and Lewis brought with them a bouquet of yellow flowers and had just bought some new Immaculate Reception memorabilia.
“Franco was a special guy,” said Rooney-Grove, who compared him to “The Chief,” her grandfather. “When Franco would ask how you’re doing, he meant it. He actually, really cared.”
She added how much the entire Rooney clan will miss Harris and his kindness. Underneath her winter coat, she wore a Harris T-shirt for the occasion, the same one she bought for her whole family to wear to Saturday night’s game against the Raiders.
Lewis, who of course grew up on stories and videos of Harris as a player, was struck by how few in Pittsburgh are discussing the running back. So many more are discussing Harris the man.
“I guess that kind of goes to show he’s much more than just a football player,” Lewis said. “He’s really important to the community.”
The news also hit hard for fellow Pittsburgh sports legends, like former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster Steve Blass.
“I used to try and talk to him about the Steelers, and he steered it back to baseball. My goodness. I was so stunned this morning,” Blass said. “Like the morning I woke up and we found out Clemente had died. That’s just crazy stuff at a crazy time of year that has so many connections.”
Sean Gibson, great-grandson of baseball icon Josh Gibson and executive director of a foundation in his name, couldn’t help but reflect on the baseball ties between his family and Harris.
“Franco used to always tell me that baseball was his first love. He played as a kid,” Gibson said. “Played until his 10th grade year. That’s when he really started excelling in football and dropped baseball. He was a big fan of Josh (Gibson), but he would talk about Jackie Robinson a lot. I think he was his favorite player as a kid.”
Harris was obviously well-known for his play with the Steelers, but he was also a member of three 11-win Penn State football teams in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Former college teammates such as defensive end Bruce Bannon and running back Lydell Mitchell will remember him as a kind soul who never let his football success affect his character in a negative way.
“It’s hard for us to believe that this is real,” Mitchell said. “I’m absolutely devastated by it. This is my brother, where we sometimes used to be able to finish each other’s thoughts and everything, so he’s certainly going to be missed.”
Added Bannon: “Everybody liked Franco. He was a good person and a great football player, that’s for sure.”
Post-Gazette reporters Andrew Destin, Brian Batko and Jason Mackey contributed to this report.
First Published: December 21, 2022, 5:27 p.m.
Updated: December 21, 2022, 6:41 p.m.