|
| ||
| | ||
|
 |
Franco Harris was one of the first Mt. Holly Pro Day honorees, and sadly will be posthumously remembered as the Pro Day Honoree for 2023. Sadly, Franco left us much too soon. He passed in December 2022 just two days shy of the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and his jersey being retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Franco personified what it is to be a great ambassador for the game of professional football, and more importantly, a champion of his communities (Mt. Holly & Pittsburgh) by always giving back as a compassionate, caring person.
Born on March 7, 1950 in New Jersey, Franco attended Rancocas Valley High School (RVRHS) in Mt. Holly where he was a star running back for Coach Bill Gordon.
As a Nittany Lion, Harris served primarily as a blocker for the All-American running back Lydell Mitchell. Even so, Harris amassed 2,002 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns and averaged over 5 yards per carry. He also caught 28 passes for 352 yards and another touchdown. In 1970 he lead the team in scoring. Harris was a 1st round draft pick (13th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972, uniform #32. His selection by the team was considered controversial at the time, as many thought the team would select his PSU teammate Lydell Mitchell.
The Heinz History Center, home of the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, installed a life-size statue of Harris recreating this incredible catch in the grand concourse of Pittsburgh International Airport. Franco's NFL awards and achievements include...
Franco was a highly successful business man as owner of Super Bakery, Inc. and Parks Sausage Company. In John Grisham's 2008 novel Playing For Pizza, the fullback of the Parma Panthers is nicknamed Franco as a tribute to Grisham's hero, Franco Harris, who he refers to as the "greatest Italian football player." Harris served as part of the advisory board at Penn State's Center for Food Innovation and in the Fall of 2009 was named a Conti Professor by Penn State's School of Hospitality Management. In 2011, Harris was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and became co-owner of the Pittsburgh Passion—a women's American Football Team.
Throughout his life Franco was ALWAYS a highly active supporter of Mt. Holly. No amount of words can capture all that Franco did for the Mt. Holly community, Pro Day, Penn State, Pittsburgh, countless charities, organizations and everyday people. Our hearts are with his wife Dana, their son Dok and all of the Harris family. Rest well our dear Franco. You will be forever missed.
�
2023, Bill Gordon Mt. Holly Pro Day |
Pro Day
His talent earned
him an athletic scholarship to Penn State where he played for legendary Coach
Joe Paterno. 
Franco provided big-back power to the Steelers offense. He
had his own cheering section, Franco's Italian Army, and is immortalized
in NFL film and history with his 
His
career record includes...
