Current editor Eric Miller will appreciate this post. The Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh is celebrating the history of Franco Harris’s “Immaculate Reception.” Here is a taste of WPXI’s coverage:
This December marks 50 years since the greatest play in Steelers and NFL history — the Immaculate Reception.
To celebrate the play’s golden anniversary, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, part of the Senator John Heinz History Center’s family of museums, will be showcasing some special items.
Starting Nov. 9, you can see the football from the iconic play as well as new artifacts from Steelers legend Franco Harris.
“Things didn’t go well. But I still didn’t give up and I kept faith in myself, and things did turn around to where we started winning,” Harris said.
The exhibit will feature the football from the Immaculate Reception play, and the following Harris artifacts:
- Football jersey from Rancocas Valley High School (N.J.)
- “Franco’s Italian Army” helmet
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
- Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket
Here are some other ways the Sports Museum is helping to honor the Immaculate Reception’s 50th anniversary:
Special 50th Anniversary Event on Dec. 22
The Sports Museum is partnering with the Pittsburgh Steelers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception during an evening event, “Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception: 50 Years Later,” Thursday, Dec. 22, at 6:30 p.m.
The program will include a lively panel discussion featuring Harris, his teammates, and other special guests as they reflect and share stories about his Hall of Fame career, the 1972 season, and the greatest play in NFL history.
Read the rest here.
It was a moment in which we remember exactly where we were when it happened. I was a college sophomore on Christmas break and were were at my grandparent’s place on Northwest Highway in Chicago. Harris was a favorite because I had seen him play for Penn State the previous season.
(Penn State was 10-0 when they came to Tennessee in early December 1971 for the last game in the season. We beat them 31-11. But Harris stood out as he constantly pounded our defense that day. We won because of two pick-sixes and a Bobby Majors punt return for a TD.)
I had given up when Bradshaw threw that last pass and when Harris picked the ball out of the air and took it in, my first thought was how appropriate it was that Harris made the play.
I was born that day, so thanks for the reminder that I’m turning 50😁
I watched that game on television. At that time, I rooted for the Steelers as they were underdogs to the strongly disliked Oakland Raiders. I still remember that play as if it was yesterday. I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan, but all of the Steelers-Cowboys rivalry hadn’t happened yet. It was great to see Franco Harris – a vet – score the winning touchdown.
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy!