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Franco Harris is no more with us. The NFL Hall Of Famer leaves behind his wife, Dana, and his son, Dok.
The American professional football player played running back (RB) in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.
Harris represented the Penn State Nittany Lions in college football. Then, the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft with the 13th overall pick.
He spent his first 12 years with the Steelers and his 13th and final year with the Seahawks.
Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
He was known as a key player in one of the game’s most famous plays, Pittsburgh sportscaster Myron Cope dubbed “The Immaculate Reception.”
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Is Franco Harris Related To Najee Harris?
No, Franco Harris is not related to Najee Harris. The two NBA personalities do not have familial ties.
They do have a lot in common. Both basketball players have played as running back for the NBA’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
Oh, and not to mention, both share the same last name. It might be what led people to believe the two are related.
It’s not that the two Harrises were aloof from each other. They were close and shared a special bond.
When Najee first landed in Pittsburgh, he took a picture with the Franco Harris statue at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
The two Harrises formed a special relationship that grew over time until Franco’s death on Wednesday.
“Franco’s cool, man; he’s hella cool,” Najee said. He added that Franco was “like family, a great guy.”
NFL Hall Of Famer Franco Harris Death Cause
Franco Harris passed away on December 20, 2022, three days before the 50th anniversary of The Immaculate Reception. He was 72.
The football world was stunned to hear the news of his passing on Wednesday morning.
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The cause of his death was not revealed. However, some believe he lost his life due to a medical mistake.
We expect the confirmed cause to be out soon as his family and friends mourn his death.
Everyone will miss the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers player, masterful ambassador, great teammate, athlete, and human being.
While the team is yet to announce their tribute to Harris on Saturday night as they face Las Vegas Raiders at the Acrisure Stadium, many took to Twitter to express their grief at his loss.
Former teammates, colleagues, friends, mentees, broadcasters, and fans were among those who shared stories and quotes and described what the football star meant to them.
To commemorate the Immaculate Reception‘s 50th anniversary, NFL Films produced “Franco Harris: A Football Life,” set to be broadcasted on NFL Network this weekend.
Franco Harris Obituary: 1950-2022
Franco Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, United States, to his parents, Cad Harris and Gina Parenti Harris.
His Father, Cad, was in the army. He served during World War II and was stationed in Italy.
He met his future wife, Gina, a native Italian. She became a “war bride” and moved with her husband when he returned to the U.S. after the war ended.
Harris attended Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly Township, graduating in 1968.
Afterward, he went to Penn State University, where he played football for the Nittany Lions.
He had a younger brother, Pete Harris, who played football for Penn State. Sadly, Pete passed away from a heart attack on August 15, 2006, aged 49.
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Harris married Dana Dokmanovich, with whom he had a son named Franco “Dok” Harris.
Dok ran as a third-party candidate in the Pittsburgh mayoral election of 2009, finishing in second place with 25% of the vote.
