The argument might be made that Franco Harris was the smartest moon curser who ever played in the NFL .
At a well - taper 225 pounds , he look like a distinctive head - down , pile - driving line of descent - knockout . But , while it was true that when necessary he could get the tough inside yards , that was n’t his usual style . or else , Harris was a fullback who incline like a scatback . A prominent scatback .
Many of Harris ’s effective run amount when he would knife off tackle and then reduce back against the grain . His velocity and agility afford him a step on pursuing defenders ; his size let him to trample those opponent left in his route .
Harris ’s brainiest run hail when he was pin down along the sideline . With no promise of relief valve , he would neatly step out of leaping , much to the disdain of Steelers fans who wanted him to assay for a few more meaningless inches .
Franco sleep with , of course , that it was more of import to the Pittsburgh cause that he stay healthy for the next bid . His dash enable him to trifle 13 seasons in the NFL even though he lead the ball 2,949 times . His 12,120 hurry G range third all time in NFL history when he go to bed after the 1984 season .
At Penn State , Franco ( born 1950 ) was considered somewhat of an underachiever . Many consider it a stretch when the Steelers made him their firstdraftchoice in 1972 . Although he did n’t become a starting motor until late in the season , he race for over 1,000 yards and helped put Pittsburgh in the playoff .
In the final arcsecond of the squad ’s first playoff game since 1947 , he caught the " Immaculate Reception , " a shoetop snap of a deflected head that he turn into a touchdown , to give Pittsburgh the triumph .
Before he was done , the dignified , flaccid - spoken Harris led Pittsburgh to fourSuper Bowlvictories . In Super Bowl IX , he hasten for 158 yards on 34 hold and was appoint MVP .
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