Najee Harris looks to honor Franco Harris tonight, talks relationship with Hall of Fame running back

Pittsburgh Steelers fans everywhere are mourning the loss of franchise icon Franco Harris, who died earlier in the week, just before he was set to be honored by the team on the 50^th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception.” Following the news, current running back Najee Harris opened up on the passing of the Pittsburgh icon.

“Me being in this position, first of all, it’s a blessing to be able to play football but to be able to be a Steeler at that and know the history of the position and to be a Steeler is even more exciting,” Najee Harris said, according to FanNation. “But just to know that that is the guy right there really that set the tone and standard of it and I got to meet him and got to be really close with him and his wife too. For me to come here and play in this game against the Raiders where he made one of the best plays in NFL history, for me to be in there, and for me to be playing the position and me being a Steeler you know, it’s something that I will obviously take into the game and hold dearly to me. It’s a big game, not only for this Steelers organization but Franco, we’re all gonna play for him. He’s gonna be in all of our minds.”

Franco Harris’ death came just two days before the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” one of the most famous plays in the history of the NFL. The Steelers were scheduled 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. 

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. While at Penn State for three seasons from 1969-71, Harris ran for 2,002 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Nick Kosko contributed to this report