gold star for USAHOF

4. Franco Harris

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4. Franco Harris

With all due respect to the many great Running Backs that the Pittsburgh Steelers had, they are all in line behind Franco Harris, who is still the team’s all-time leading rusher.

Harris debuted in the professional ranks in 1972 for the Steelers, a team he didn’t have to travel far from as he was a star at Penn State.  The Running Back won the Offensive Rookie of the Year, going to the Pro Bowl and rushing for 1,055 Yards and 10 Touchdowns.  This was the year where Harris was the beneficiary of the "Immaculate Reception," as a still-debated play that saw the Steelers beat the Raiders in the playoffs.  Pittsburgh didn't win it all that year, but they had a Running Back in tow that could help them.

Harris was one of the best Running Backs of the decade, going to Pro Bowl every season from 1972 to 1980.  Harris was a First Team All-Pro in 1977 (1,162 Rushing Yards and 11 TDs), but he arguably was better the season before with a league-leading 14 TDs and 1,128 Rushing Yards.  Harris helped propel the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins, earning MVP honors in the first title.  Over 19 Playoff Games, Harris had 2,060 Yards From Scrimmage with 17 Touchdowns, an incredible number over intense situations.

Harris was with the Steelers until 1983, playing one final year in Seattle before retiring.  Overall, Harris would accumulate 14,234 Yards From Scrimmage with an even 100 Touchdowns.  The Pro Football Hall of Fame came calling in 1990 and was a member of the first Steelers' Hall of Honor in 2017.  In addition, the Steelers retired his number 32, giving Harris the distinction of being the third player in franchise history to earn that accolade.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Running Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 13th Overall in the NFL Draft 2/1/72.
  • Departed:

    Signed with the Seattle Seahawks after the 1984 Season.

  • Games Played: 165
  • Notable Statistics:

    156 Games Started
    2,881 Rushing Attempts
    11,950 Rushing Yards
    91 Rushing Touchdowns
    306 Receptions
    2,284 Receiving Yards
    9 Receiving Touchdowns
    10 Kick Returns
    233 Kick Return Yards
    0 Pass Completions
    1 Pass Attempt
    135 Approximate Value

    19 Playoff Games
    400 Rushing Attempts
    1,556 Rushing Yards
    16 Rushing Touchdowns
    51 Receptions
    504 Receiving Yards
    1 Receiving Touchdown

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (IX, X, XIII & XIV)
    AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (1972)
    UPI Rookie of the Year (1972)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1972)
    First Team All-Pro (1977)
    Second Team All-Pro (1972 & 1975)
    Pro Bowl (1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 & 1980)
    Super Bowl MVP (IX)
    Walter Payton Man of the Year (1976)
    NLPA Alan Page Community Award (1981)
    Most Rushing Touchdowns (1976)
    Most Touchdowns (1976)

Last modified on Sunday, 18 September 2022 16:09

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