IAP 26: Franco Harris on Franco’s Italian Army, the Immaculate Reception, and growing up in a multicultural family
In this episode of The Italian American Podcast, we speak with four-time Super Bowl champion Franco Harris. Harris began his professional football career when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the first round of the 1972 National Football League Draft—the 13th player chosen overall. In his first NFL season, he became only the fourth rookie in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards or more. But what most fans remember even more than his stats was his roof-raising catch in the famous "Immaculate Reception" pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw that gave the Steelers a 13-7 over the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh its first-ever playoff victory. Harris was named the league's Rookie of the Year by both The Sporting News and United Press International.
Steelers fans, and especially its large fan base of Italian Americans, adored him. His most loyal fans dubbed themselves "Franco's Italian Army" and wore army helmets with his number on them. Even Frank Sinatra joined Franco’s Italian Army.
He rushed for 1,000 yards or more eight seasons and totaled 47 100-yards-or-more games. At the time of his retirement, his career totals in rushing and combined net yardage of 14,622 ranked third highest in professional football history.
Harris earned All-AFC honors in 1972, 1975, 1976 and 1977; and All-Pro six times. He was named to nine Pro Bowls; and played in five AFC championships and four Super Bowls. In Super Bowl IX, when the Steelers won their first-ever league title, Harris rushed for 158 yards and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
In 1990, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Born in Fort Dix, N.J., Harris graduated from Penn State in hotel and hospitality and food. After retiring from the NFL, with Penn State teammate and NFL great Lydell Mitchell, he founded Super Bakery to produce nutrition-oriented foods for schools, hospitals, and other food-service customers. Best known for marketing a nutritious Super Donut, in 2006 Harris launched RSuper Foods to distribute the Super Donut and other products across the country.
The Italian American Stories Segment
In the Italian American Stories segment of the episode we feature a wonderful story from one of our listeners, Bryan Mazzarello, a listener who took back his Italian name after his grandfather gave it up.
