Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris is shown in 1973. Franco Harris, the Hall of Fame running back whose heads-up thinking authored "The Immaculate Reception," considered the most iconic play in NFL history, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. He was 72.

Pittsburgh Steelers' Franco Harris (32) eludes a tackle by Oakland Raiders' Jimmy Warren as he runs 42-yards for a touchdown after catching a deflected pass during an AFC Divisional NFL football playoff game in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23, 1972. Harris died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, 2022, at age 72, just two days before the 50th anniversary of The Immaculate Reception.

Pittsburgh Steelers Franco Harris (right) with Lynn Swann at Harris's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 4, 1990 in Canton, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw (12) and running back Franco Harris (32) kid around in a relaxed mood during a photo session, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1979 in Miami. Bradshaw said he's been to enough Super Bowl games to know the routine and so feels relaxed coming into Sunday's Super Bowl XIII when the Steelers meet the Dallas Cowboys.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, during the Steeler' 31-19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams at the Rose Bowl… The Steelers dominated the fourth quarter to take their fourth Super Bowl title. Photo dated: January 20, 1980.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris waves to fans as he is introduced as a recently announced member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame at halftime during the 1990 NFL Pro Bowl between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference on Feb. 4, 1990 in Honolulu. The NFC won the game 27-21.

Franco Harris, right, Pittsburgh Steelers backfield star, misses a handoff from Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh, who shoves a football into the midsection of Harris in the governor's office in Harrisburg, Penn., March 16, 1979. The football player and the governor clowned around for the benefit of news photographers at the end of the ceremonies. Harris, chairman of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, presented Thornburgh with the Council's annual report.

NFL Hall of Fame member Franco Harris on stage during the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday, April 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris stands on the spot of the "Immaculate Reception" after a marker commemorating the 40th anniversary of the play was unveiled where Three Rivers Stadium once stood on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Harris' scoop of a deflected pass and subsequent run for the winning touchdown in a 1972 playoff victory against Oakland has been voted the greatest play in NFL history. A nationwide panel of 68 media members chose the Immaculate Reception as the top play with 3,270 points and 39 first-place votes.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris is greeted by a throng of well-wishers as he and other veterans reported to training camp in Latrobe, Penn., July 20, 1979. That Friday was picture day, followed by a workout with the rookies who had been in camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe since the last Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) runs by Cleveland Browns linebacker Bob Babich for nine yard gain during the first quarter of their game Dec. 8, 1975 in Pittsburgh. Harris gained 103 yards on 25 carries to push his season total to 1,003 yards. Pittsburgh won 31-17.

Announces the pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL Hall of Fame member Franco Harris during the 2021 NFL Draft on Friday, April 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Pittsburgh Steelers' back Franco Harris finds some space between the fallen Matt Blair of the Minnesota Vikings and Tommy Hannon, left, as he gained a few yards on this play on his way to his 36th 100-yard game in Bloomington, Minnesota, Oct. 6, 1980. Harris gained 102 yards rushing, scoring one touchdown from four yards out as the Steelers went on to win 23-17.

Franco Harris holds his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust aloft after being inducted into the hall in Canton on Saturday, August 4, 1990. Harris played for the Pittsburgh Steelers where he led them to four Super Bowl championships.

Franco Harris, #32, fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, shown in uniform in 1980.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl VIII against the Dallas Cowboys in Miami, Jan. 21, 1979.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of Fame running back Franco Harris greets members of the one time Pittsburgh Steelers cheerleaders, the Steelerettes, before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013 in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris, named as offensive rookie of the year by The Associated Press, is pictured before a collage of posters in the team offices in Pittsburgh, Jan. 2, 1973.

Pittsburgh Steelers Franco Harris (32) during a game from his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Franco Harris played 12 years with 2 different teams He was a 9-time Pro Bowler, 1-time first team Pro Bowler and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers is flanked by his father, Cad, and his mother, Gina, as he flashes the ring presented to him at a luncheon in New York, Jan. 22, 1975. He also received from Sport magazine an automobile as the MVP in Super Bowl IX.

Hall of Fame Franco Harris joins NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on stage to speak during the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 28 2022 in Las Vegas.

Pittsburgh Steelers Franco Harris (32) moves past Oakland Raiders' Phil Villapiano during the AFC Championship in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris (32) points to fans as he walks off the field after a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of his Immaculate Reception against the Oakland Raiders on Dec 23, 1972, during half-time of an NFL football game between the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec 23 2012.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris gives the thumbs up sign as he runs off the field into the locker room following Pittsburgh's 27-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, Dec. 16 1974. Harris gained 79 yards on 17 carries to end the game with 1,006 yards rushing for the season. It was the second 1,000-plus yard season for Harris since he became a professional three years ago.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32), picks up 10 yards as he turns the corner as Houston Oilers' Robert Brazile (52) makes a dive to latch on to Harris to make the stop, during an NFL football game in Houston.

Pittsburgh Steelers all-time great running back Franco Harris and Steelers current running back Najee Harris get together to talk about the running game today and yesterday on Friday, Oct. 21 2022 in Pittsburgh.

Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Seattle Seahawks in first period action Sunday, Sept. 10 1978, in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris twirls a Terrible Towel during a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of his "Immaculate Reception" catch in the 1972 playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, during the halftime of an NFL football game between the Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 23 2012.