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Steelers great Franco Harris gets hometown street renamed in his honor
Black and Gold infiltrated a New Jersey town Tuesday as a street there was named after late Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris.
A street in Mount Holly, Harris’ hometown, is now named Franco Harris Way. WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reported that Harris grew up on the road, which before Tuesday was named Ridgway Street.
Harris died in December, two days before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and three days before his number was retired by the Steelers. He was 72.
Franco Harris Way unveiled in Mount Holly today by the son of the late Steelers Hall of Fame running back. Franco Harris grew up on this street, right next to the high school where he played as a teen. pic.twitter.com/kU68JpSNm3— Katherine Scott (@KScott6abc) May 16, 2023
Harris authored what is considered to be the greatest play in NFL history when he caught a deflected pass inches from the ground and ran for a 60-yard touchdown with five seconds left in a playoff game against the Raiders on Dec. 23, 1972.
The catch and run, famously dubbed the Immaculate Reception, propelled the Steelers to a 13-7 win that was the first playoff victory in franchise history. It set the stage for the glory years of the 1970s when the Steelers won the Super Bowl four times in six years.
Several family members attended the street dedication in New Jersey. They and others took photographs as the new name was unveiled.
“It’s quite nice, it’s a great honor. I think he’ll look down and really appreciate this,” Harris’ son Dok told reporters.
Harris’ sisters who attended the ceremony said the street was where the Hall of Famer’s career started. He attended Penn State University.
Harris was named MVP of Super Bowl IX and was the NFL’s third-leading rusher with 12,120 yards at the time of his retirement in 1984. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
After his retirement, Harris launched business ventures and participated in charitable works while sometimes offering support for political candidates.
The Tribune-Review interviewed Harris about the Immaculate Reception prior to his death.
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