Franco Harris

Franco Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers were in a festive mood Saturday during a ceremony to unveil a monument to the Immaculate Reception, which took place 40 years ago. At a tent next to Heinz Field, the monument occupies the spot at former Three Rivers Stadium where Harris caught a pass that had ricocheted off teammate Frenchy Fuqua or Raiders safety Jack Tatum. Harris scored the winning touchdown on the broken play with five seconds left for a 13-7 victory over Oakland in an AFC playoff game.

Franco Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers were in a festive mood Saturday during a ceremony to unveil a monument to the Immaculate Reception, which took place 40 years ago. At a tent next to Heinz Field, the monument occupies the spot at former Three Rivers Stadium where Harris caught a pass that had ricocheted off teammate Frenchy Fuqua or Raiders safety Jack Tatum. Harris scored the winning touchdown on the broken play with five seconds left for a 13-7 victory over Oakland in an AFC playoff game.

Franco Harris, unsigned and unwanted despite 13 seasons as one of pro football's top running backs, is finally becoming resigned to retirement. Harris, 35, was willing to sign with another National Football League team this season after being released last year by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. He worked out extensively in the off-season, but his agent, Bart Beier, could find no interested teams. "There wasn't that much interest, really," Harris said.

A consumer's guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it's in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed. What: "Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper." Author: Stephen J. Dubner. Publisher: HarperCollins. Price: $24.95. Rarely does one get to meet a childhood sports hero, let alone spend quality time with him. Stephen J.

A quarter-century later, one of the most amazing plays in NFL history remains just as miraculous, unforgettable--and, yes, immaculate--as the moment it happened. Just as debated, too. It was a moment so special and spontaneous that it demanded a nickname as unique as the play itself: the Immaculate Reception.

One thing is obvious about Franco Harris, the soft-spoken pro football player turned business owner. He's not afraid to take chances. Harris leapt into the bakery business six years ago despite knowing nothing about baking. Now, the former Pittsburgh Steeler running back has saved Parks Sausage from bankruptcy and is trying to return the company to profitability, despite knowing nothing about the sausage business.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Franco Harris defeated former Cleveland Brown running back Jim Brown in the 40-yard dash Friday to win a two-day competition. The televised contest, called "I Challenge You," evolved from Brown saying on national television last year that he could beat Harris in the dash. Harris, 34, was clocked in 5.16 seconds. Hampered by a hamstring injury, Brown, 48, finished in 5.72 seconds.

Career averages of six great running backs in Super Bowls (Jim Brown averaged 3.9 yards per carry in NFL championship games): 1. Walter Payton: averaged 2.8 yards 2. Franco Harris: averaged 3.5 yards 3. Tony Dorsett: averaged 5.2 yards 4. Emmitt Smith: averaged 4.1 yards 5. Chuck Foreman: averaged 2.3 yards 6. John Riggins: averaged 3.6 yards Source: World Features Syndicate

A consumer's guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, heard, observed, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it's in play here. One exception: No products will be endorsed. What: "Confessions of a Hero-Worshiper." Author: Stephen J. Dubner. Publisher: HarperCollins. Price: $24.95. Rarely does one get to meet a childhood sports hero, let alone spend quality time with him. Stephen J.

Tony Dorsett only needed a little to make Sunday a special day. He came up with a lot. Dorsett became the sixth NFL player to ever rush for more than 10,000 yards, and also contributed two big-play touchdowns to help the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-13, before a crowd of 62,932. "We are all happy for Tony," Dallas Coach Tom Landry said. "And I'm happy that he did it in the fashion that he did."

Career averages of six great running backs in Super Bowls (Jim Brown averaged 3.9 yards per carry in NFL championship games): 1. Walter Payton: averaged 2.8 yards 2. Franco Harris: averaged 3.5 yards 3. Tony Dorsett: averaged 5.2 yards 4. Emmitt Smith: averaged 4.1 yards 5. Chuck Foreman: averaged 2.3 yards 6. John Riggins: averaged 3.6 yards Source: World Features Syndicate

He had just watched in amazement from his upper-level seat as Terry Bradshaw's pass bounced seven yards backward off somebody's shoulders and directly at the feet of running back Franco Harris. He had just watched Harris grab the ball and run 42 yards for a miracle touchdown, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a last-second victory over the Oakland Raiders in a 1972 playoff game, transforming years of desperation into an eventual dynasty. He had also just had a couple of glasses of wine.

A quarter-century later, one of the most amazing plays in NFL history remains just as miraculous, unforgettable--and, yes, immaculate--as the moment it happened. Just as debated, too. It was a moment so special and spontaneous that it demanded a nickname as unique as the play itself: the Immaculate Reception.

One thing is obvious about Franco Harris, the soft-spoken pro football player turned business owner. He's not afraid to take chances. Harris leapt into the bakery business six years ago despite knowing nothing about baking. Now, the former Pittsburgh Steeler running back has saved Parks Sausage from bankruptcy and is trying to return the company to profitability, despite knowing nothing about the sausage business.

The Toronto Blue Jays' 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals Thursday night was aided by an unlikely event. In the second inning, with the bases loaded and two out, Mookie Wilson struck out on a 3-and-2 pitch in the dirt. The ball rolled a few feet away. Instead of picking it up and stepping on home plate for the force out that would have ended the inning, Royal catcher Mike Macfarlane threw to first base. His throw was wild, and all three runners scored.

Tony Dorsett only needed a little to make Sunday a special day. He came up with a lot. Dorsett became the sixth NFL player to ever rush for more than 10,000 yards, and also contributed two big-play touchdowns to help the Dallas Cowboys defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-13, before a crowd of 62,932. "We are all happy for Tony," Dallas Coach Tom Landry said. "And I'm happy that he did it in the fashion that he did."

The Toronto Blue Jays' 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals Thursday night was aided by an unlikely event. In the second inning, with the bases loaded and two out, Mookie Wilson struck out on a 3-and-2 pitch in the dirt. The ball rolled a few feet away. Instead of picking it up and stepping on home plate for the force out that would have ended the inning, Royal catcher Mike Macfarlane threw to first base. His throw was wild, and all three runners scored.

He had just watched in amazement from his upper-level seat as Terry Bradshaw's pass bounced seven yards backward off somebody's shoulders and directly at the feet of running back Franco Harris. He had just watched Harris grab the ball and run 42 yards for a miracle touchdown, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a last-second victory over the Oakland Raiders in a 1972 playoff game, transforming years of desperation into an eventual dynasty. He had also just had a couple of glasses of wine.

Franco Harris, unsigned and unwanted despite 13 seasons as one of pro football's top running backs, is finally becoming resigned to retirement. Harris, 35, was willing to sign with another National Football League team this season after being released last year by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. He worked out extensively in the off-season, but his agent, Bart Beier, could find no interested teams. "There wasn't that much interest, really," Harris said.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Franco Harris defeated former Cleveland Brown running back Jim Brown in the 40-yard dash Friday to win a two-day competition. The televised contest, called "I Challenge You," evolved from Brown saying on national television last year that he could beat Harris in the dash. Harris, 34, was clocked in 5.16 seconds. Hampered by a hamstring injury, Brown, 48, finished in 5.72 seconds.