The NFL world received some shocking news this week. Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and Super Bowl legend Franco Harris passed away and his unfortunate death days before a historic milestone anniversary is something fans and experts cannot wrap their heads around. 72-year-old Harris died from natural causes just a day after appearing on multiple radio interviews.

Franco Harris is just as big a Steelers legend as quarterback Terry Bradshaw. The two laid foundations to a Pittsburgh offense that won four Super Bowl championships in a span of six years between 1974 and 1980. And it all started with their first divisional playoff victory when Franco Harris caught the ‘Immaculate Reception’ ball on December 23, 1972.

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Harris is one of the most decorated and celebrated running backs in NFL history. He is the all-time leading rusher in Super Bowl games with 354 yards and was voted the Super Bowl IX MVP. Franco ranks 15th all-time in career rushing yards and made 9 Pro Bowls in his 13 seasons in the NFL. Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Steelers Nation could not believe the devastating news surrounding Harris and they posted their heartfelt condolences on social media. “So close to the 50th anniversary. Win it for him this week,” fans said.

Some fans wanted the Steelers organization to retire the no.32 in Franco’s honor. While some said, “Let Najee [Harris] wear 32 till half time.” The Steelers face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday for the 50th-anniversary game. And one fan commented, “If you all lose to the Raiders after this, I don’t even know.”

Fans want the win this weekend to celebrate Franco Harris and his franchise-rescuing catch

Franco Harris had his mother’s roots from Italy and his fanbase was lovingly referred to as the ‘Italian Army’. And the army is at a loss for words, especially after the world heard Harris a day before his death on Mad Dog’s SiriusXM podcast talking about his most famous on-field achievement. Yes, it’s the ‘immaculate reception’. On the 50th-anniversary of one of the NFL’s most memorable plays, Harris couldn’t believe that he actually pulled it off.

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QB Terry Bradshaw threw the ball to Steelers RB John Fuqua in what was possibly the last play of the game. The pass was incomplete. However, the ball bounced off Oakland Raiders safety Jack Tatum’s helmet. And that’s when Franco swooped in and caught the ball before it hit the ground, and ran for the game-winning TD. The Steelers beat John Madden’s Raiders 13-7.

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“You know what, when I watch the film I can’t remember anything of the play past just leaving the backfield. But when I see the film, and I see it in real-time, it just blows my mind how quick that is. And I have no idea how I reacted so quickly,” former Steelers no.32 Franco Harris said on SiriusXM. It’ll be some time until the gold and black army recovers from this huge loss.