This is just terrifically sad. I loved Franco Harris as a kid, and I understand he continued to do a lot of good things for his community. This is really out of the blue.
It’s even more poignant since December 23 will be the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC playoffs, which really was the beginning of the amazing Steeler dynasty:
Rest in peace, old friend.
RIP Franco 
I worked with a guy who knew him well. Franco was in his wedding. He had nothing but great things to say about him.
Young NFL fans have no idea how much the NFL abused RBs back in the 70s. It is incredible that Franco lasted in the league for 12 years.
I was an Oiler fan growing up and Franco ruined my childhood 
but I had tremendous respect for him.
Oh wow, really sorry to hear this. When I was growing up in the 1970’s, most of the kids in my school rooted for either the Cowboys or Steelers even though we were in NY. I was a Steeler fan and Franco was my favorite player. I remember getting his #32 jersey one year for Christmas. I think the Steelers were going to retire his number this weekend. Surprised it wasn’t done a long time ago.
Totally agree, as this should have been done ages ago…I guess they were going to do the jersey retirement ceremony to coincide with the Immaculate Reception anniversary in a couple of days.
The only other retired numbers for the Steelers are Ernie Stautner and Joe Greene. Franco would be the third.
He was an original inductee into their Hall of Honor.
When I was in HS the Steelers would do charity basketball games. Typically not the superstars but sometimes would show up just for autographs. I need to go find a box in my attic.
That’s it? Really…wow. I would have thought there would be so many like Terry Bradshaw, Franco, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, and Jack Ham, just to name a very few.
Anyway, it’s still long overdue.
They would run out of numbers. Lol
Not that he doesn’t deserve it completely, but how did Mean Joe have his jersey retired before all these others?
Joe Greene was the first draft choice by Noll and the new guard. He was the anchor of the Steel Curtain. He changed the entire Karma of the team. They might not win but they were no longer pushovers.
People don’t understand how awful the Steelers franchise was at the time. One playoff appearance in 40 years with no wins.
That said, their first playoff win was the Immaculate Reception game. The rest is history.
Btw. I’m not a huge pro football fan but you can’t avoid the history as a local.
Rip Franco Harris… They don’t make football players like this anymore.