Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris died Wednesday, just three days before the Pittsburgh Steelers were set to retire his No. 32 at a ceremony Saturday night.
He was 72.
Dok Harris, Franco's son, confirmed his father's death to Will Graves of The Associated Press. No cause of death has been reported.
The Steelers were set to honor Harris over the weekend on the 50th anniversary of The Immaculate Reception, perhaps the single most iconic play in NFL history. Trailing 7-6 with 22 seconds remaining in the 1972 AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Raiders, Harris caught an errant Terry Bradshaw pass that caromed off Raiders safety Jack Tatum just inches before it hit the ground and then scampered to the end zone for a game-winning touchdown.