Legendary Pittsburgh Steelers RB and Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris has died. His death has been confirmed to KDKA-TV by his family. Harris’ son Dok told The Associated Press his father passed away overnight. No cause of death was given.

Harris was a four-time Super Bowl champion and 9-time Pro Bowler. He was drafted by the Steelers with the 13th overall pick in 1972 after playing for Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Harris became part of history forever with his ‘Immaculate Reception’ at Three Rivers Stadium in the Divisional Round of the 1972 playoffs.

Harris ran for 12,120 yards during his career. He ran for a then-record 158 yards rushing and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s 16-6 victory over Minnesota in Super Bowl IX on his way to winning the game’s Most Valuable Player award. Harris scored at least once in three of the four Super Bowls he played in, and his 354 career yards rushing on the NFL’s biggest stage remains a record nearly four decades after his retirement.

Harris was a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor. He was set to have his #32 jersey retired by the team on Saturday, joining Ernie Stautner and Joe Greene as the only two other players in franchise history to have their numbers retired.

Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He was 72 years old.

Original post by: Tony Ghaul

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