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JBSA News
NEWS | July 30, 2012

Fans line up to meet Pittsburgh Steeler hall of famer Franco Harris

By Jose T. Garza III JBSA-Lackland Public Affairs

Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris may have been shining shoes growing up around military bases, but his star shone brighter on the NFL gridiron for 12 years.

Harris built a hall of fame career mostly as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning four Super Bowls, including one Super Bowl MVP during his years with the Steelers.

But despite his all pro career, Franco is most likely remembered for one play - the "Immaculate Reception."

Harris caught the winning touchdown off a tipped ball from Steelers teammate John "Frenchy" Fuqua, handing the Steelers the 13-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders in the American Football Conference Divisional playoffs Dec. 23, 1972.

Two Pittsburgh residents would call the play the "Immaculate Reception," later made popular by Pittsburgh Sportscaster Myron Cope.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception," Harris stopped by the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Military Clothing Store July 12 to autograph photographs of the famous catch now etched in Steelers' history.

Harris said, "There would be grand celebrations around Pittsburgh to celebrate the memorable play while there would be sad days in Oakland. It's been a great 40 years in Pittsburgh for me."

While most in the local community are presumably Dallas Cowboys aficionados, more than 400 fans invaded the autograph session adorned in Steelers black and yellow regalia and ready with memorabilia for Harris to sign.

"I've never seen so many Steelers fans in one place, except maybe in Pittsburgh," JBSA-Lackland Military Clothing Store manager Beverly Schippmann said. "He was so gracious to take time out of his schedule to greet each and every person in and out of uniform."

Forty years later, NFL fans still debate whether Harris truly caught the ball.

"When I'm traveling, people still talk about it. There are some people who will say, 'You did catch it,'" he said. "It is amazing that (the Immaculate Reception) is bigger than ever.
The "Immaculate Reception" may never have taken place, if not for a slant toward a different career path.

The son of a Korean War and World War II veteran, Harris, who grew up at Fort Dix, N.J., aspired to join the Army, just like his father, and be in the Special Forces.

But his life took a different route after he graduated from high school and was awarded a football scholarship to Penn State University.

Harris played for the Nittany Lions from 1969 to 1971 before being drafted by the Steelers in 1972.

Deeming himself an "Army brat," Harris never forgot his roots despite amassing four Super Bowl titles in his 12-year career.

Harris' days of bagging at the commissary and shining shoes on base led him to develop a level of appreciation for what the military has done for his family and others.

He continues to show his support and appreciation for the military every year by visiting veteran's hospitals during Super Bowl weekend - a 10-year tradition that is just of several stops he makes each year to meet with troops.

"The military just connects you in a big way," Harris said. "You don't really think about it when you're young, but later in life you get to appreciate more and more what it stands for, and the people who are part of that, especially my family."