Harris hit in Dallas territory

Hall of Famer Franco Harris said he was surprised to find so many Pittsburgh Steelers fans in North Little Rock on Wednesday.
Hall of Famer Franco Harris said he was surprised to find so many Pittsburgh Steelers fans in North Little Rock on Wednesday.

Franco Harris wasn't sure what to expect Wednesday night.

The Hall of Fame running back who spent most of his career with the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers was a bit leery entering Dallas Cowboys territory during an appearance at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris talks with Arkansas Travelers players prior to throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Wednesday at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.

He got a pleasant surprise when he threw out the first pitch, then sat down to sign autographs and pitch his line of nutritional baked goods.

Harris, 65, spent more than an hour signing footballs, photos and other items for fans decked out in Steelers jerseys, shirts, hats and even kilts behind home plate during the Arkansas Travelers game against the Springfield Cardinals.

"I can't believe how many Steelers fans I'm meeting," said Harris, after managing to find a moment to step away from the lined-up fans. "They call this Cowboy country but this is Steeler nation, also. ... This is a wonderful surprise to see that Steeler nation in here strong."

In a way, Harris is responsible for so many Steelers fans lined up in the hometown of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Harris was a 22-year-old rookie in 1972 when the Steelers hosted Oakland Raiders in an AFC playoff game. The Steelers trailed 7-6 in the final minute of the game when quarterback Terry Bradshaw's pass intended for John "Frenchy" Fuqua ricocheted off the hands of Raiders safety Jack Tatum as he jarred Fuqua and the ball started to fall toward the ground.

But Harris scooped it up just before it hit the artificial turf and ran for a 60-yard touchdown to give the Steelers a 13- 7 victory. The Steelers lost the next week to the Miami Dolphins, but the Immaculate Reception would end up defining the next 43 years of Harris' life and sparked the Steelers' run of championships.

The Steelers had one playoff appearance before 1972, but that team started a run of eight consecutive playoff appearances, including four Super Bowl titles and are still the only team with six Super Bowl titles.

"It is amazing how much people bring up the Immaculate Reception," Harris said. "It was the start of a run, where the last 40 years have been incredible. ... With what we've built, a nation and loyal fans. It's great to see them here."

Harris still gets asked if he caught the ball or not, as he was again Wednesday.

"That's those Raiders fans," he said. "We had a lot of fun with it. That was was the start of an incredible run and to this day we talk about it. We rehash it, we still go over it. And, to me, that's what makes it kind of special. It's that discussion that will never come to a conclusion."

Harris was in North Little Rock on Wednesday with long-time friend Lydell Mitchell, with whom he played at Penn State. Mitchell was a second-round pick by the Baltimore Colts in 1972 and spent eight seasons with the Colts, San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams.

Harris and Mitchell started Super Bakery in 1990. The company touts its healthy line of donuts and muffins.

Harris still watches football, too. He said the biggest difference he sees from football in the 1970s to now is the reliance on a running game. Harris, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, is 10th all-time in career rushes (2,949) and five times he rushed 260 times or more in a season.

"I still feel that a running game and a great defense can still control a football game," he said. "I think that sort of thing will work well. But, controlling the ball with a running game and wearing them down to me can still be very effective."

Harris remains a defender of the league, too, when it comes to the rash of player off-the-field issues.

"If you take a percentage and say guys that mess up, it's probably two percent," he said. "Unfortunately people focus on that two percent and that gets to be big news. But what I focus on is all the guys that do great things. ... Ninety-eight percent of the guys are unbelievable in their contribution to the community and to make their community better."

Sports on 07/23/2015

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