WATCH: Pittsburgh Steelers pay homage to Franco Harris

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to pay homage to one of their very own on Saturday night, ahead of their Christmas Eve matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. They all decided to wear Franco Harris jerseys as they were entering the stadium, since he recently passed away. He was not only one of the more beloved figures in NFL history, but American sports history as well. Tonight happens to be the 50th anniversary of “The Immaculate Reception”, one of the most famous plays in the history of the NFL.

Check out the cool tribute from all the Steelers’ players here.

Paying homage to Franco. pic.twitter.com/RyxWnESFkS

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 24, 2022

The 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception

Harris’ death came just two days before the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception”. The Steelers are set to retire his No. 32 jersey at halftime of their game versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Harris finished his career with 12,120 yards and won four Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 1970s. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement on his passing earlier in the week.

“The entire team at the Pro Football Hall of Fame is immensely saddened today,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement. “We have lost an incredible football player, an incredible ambassador to the Hall and, most importantly, we have lost one of the most finest gentlemen anyone will ever meet. Franco not only impacted the game of football, but he also affected the lives of many, many people in profoundly positive ways. The Hall of Fame and historians everywhere will tell Franco’s football story forever. His life story can never be told fully, however, without including his greatness on the field.

“My heart and prayers go out to his wife, Dana, an equally incredible person, a special friend to the Hall and someone who cares so deeply for Franco’s Hall of Fame teammates.”

Harris played his college football at Penn State and turned a great college career into first-round pick status, where Pittsburgh selected him with the No. 13 overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft.

Franco Harris background

Franco Harris was certainly an old-school football player. A fullback from the 1970’s that was the team’s dominant ball-carrier. Not only was he the Steelers’ best guy on the ground during his time there, Harris was one of the most consistent forces out of the backfield in the entire NFL.

For six straight seasons, from 1974 to 1979, Harris eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing. For a fullback, that’s unbelievable. Pretty safe to say a fullback will almost certainly NEVER hit those marks again. Just an unbelievable level of production from Harris as a fullback.

For his career, the big fella ran for north of 12,000 yards and scored 91 touchdowns. Really, he was the precursor of what was to come with Jerome Bettis. But Harris himself was well worthy of the Hall of Fame and was inducted in the 1990 class.

On3’s Alex Weber and Nick Kosko also contributed to this article.