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The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Tuesday that they will be retiring Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris' number 32 on the day after the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.
The four-time Super Bowl champion's number has not been worn since he left the Steelers in 1983, but on Christmas Eve during the Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Week 16 matchup – it will become officially, official.
"My Grandfather was once quoted as saying: 'Before Franco got here, we didn't win much, since he got here, we don't lose.' I think that sums it up pretty good," Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Franco's impact on the franchise would be hard to overstate."
Running back Franco Harris carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders circa 1972 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. Harris played for the Steelers from 1972-83. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Harris had an illustrious career, but is perhaps best known for the aforementioned Immaculate Reception, arguably the most iconic – and controversial – play in NFL history.
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The Steelers trailed the Oakland Raiders by a point on 4th and 10 with 22 seconds to go in the AFC Divisional Round, two days before Christmas in 1972. Terry Bradshaw dropped back and threw a pass intended for John Fuqua – the wide belief is that the pass deflected off of Raiders' DB Jack Tatum and bounced backward several yards, but right into the hands of Harris near midfield, who then took it to the house for the lead.
However, the play has been debated since it happened.
Some believe that the ball actually touched Fuqua. In that case, under the league's rules at the
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