Farewell to Franco

I was incredibly shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Pittsburgh Steelers icon Franco Harris. In fact, when I first read about it while perusing an article on Pittsburgh Hockey Now, I thought it was some sort of macabre and ill-conceived joke, given the juxtaposition to the 50th anniversary of The Immaculate Reception.

Just the other day I’d watched Franco describe his part in arguably the most amazing play in the history of professional football. Certainly the most amazing in Steelers history. He appeared hale, hearty and clear-minded.

A painful reminder of the brevity and fragility of life.

Franco’s unfortunate and untimely passing takes me back to my youth and evokes so many memories. In a rare departure from hockey, I thought I’d share some.

I’d just begun to follow pro football as a kid in the late 1960s. The Steelers hired Bill Austin, a former assistant to the legendary Vince Lombardi in Green Bay, as their new head coach in 1966. I was excited about our chances. That season my dad took me to the one and only Steelers game I’ve ever attended.

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