Franco Harris with his business game face on is pretty much as I remember him when we met - (Cliff- photo)

Franco Harris statue comemorating the "Immaculate Reception" seen at Pittsburgh International Airport - (Jonathan D. Parshall Photo)

Charles Barkley was a member of the 1992 USA Olympic Dream team BUT… he was never a member of an NBA title winning team ALL TIME NBA NEVER WON-NA TITLE TEAM

Bill Russell is seen here in the green uniform guarding Wilt Chamberlain. They had some of the NBA's most classic battles. Russell sadly passed away Sunday at the age of 88 - (US Library of Congress image) ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN

SPORTS NOTES EXTRA - REMEMBERING FRANCO HARRIS

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Former NFL (National Football League) great Franco Harris passed away on the 21st of this month just 2 days before he was to be honored at halftime of a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and now Las Vegas Raiders. The two teams were to meet once again in Pittsburgh and would commemorate the Immaculate Reception event 50 years ago when Harris made a catch that shocked the world of sports - Who-da Thunk It - Eventually Harris and I were to be on the same team. Why… read on… - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Sunday December 25, 2022

WE WERE ON THE SAME TEAM

When I first heard of the death of NFL Hall of Fame player Franco Harris the first thing that came to my mind was WHAT! In my mind Harris was as strong as a man could be. His death at the age of 72 is shocking.

Harris was a member of four Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers teams following the 1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979 seasons. He was the MVP of Super Bowl IX. Harris was chosen for 9 consecutive Pro Bowls (1972-1980), and was All-Pro in 1977. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in eight seasons, breaking a record set by Jim Brown. He scored 100 touchdowns during his career 91 running and 9 on receptions.

This was the man that shocked the sports world with his miraculous catch of a ball and running for a touchdown that won a playoff game for the Pittsburgh Steelers over the then Oakland Raiders. The event caused controversy till this day, 50 years after the miracle known as The Immaculate Reception.

Franco passed away on the 21st of this month just 2 days before he was to be honored at halftime of a game between the two teams once again in Pittsburgh commemorating the event.

Back in the day I met Harris at a media convention. When I introduced myself as someone that grew up in his area he was not impressed. He wasn't in the frame of mind to be warm and fuzzy or converse with me but after all he was attending a business conference and not to meet or converse with me.

After I said … it was a pleasure meeting you to Franco, as I was walking away a gentleman, Fred Mattingly approached me and wanted to know about my who, what, where and why aka personal info? I explained that I was a journalist and musician who had recently entered the radio business which was why I was in attendance.

He suggested that I contact the sports editor/producer of the network he was leaving since he was on his way to work for the Disney Company.

At the time my field producing work was on air on roughly 1,000 radio stations via four networks. The producer Tony Girdano and I got along immediately and he wanted me to supply him some of my NFL interviews for a show that was hosted by… are you ready… FRANCO HARRIS on the Sheridan Broadcasting Network. You could say in way Harris and I worked together or were on the same team.

Well as the saying what goes around comes around applied to me and Franco. I recall one show in particular that by the excitement in his voice, Franco enjoyed my interview of then New Orleans defensive player Sam Mills aka THE FIELD MOUSE.

At the time of the interview Mills informed me on tape that he wasn't pleased about that moniker but his legend preceded him and Franco had fun with the script that apparently Girdano prepared.

I can't recall when the show was produced but in process of elimination results in my starting sports radio features in 1989. So… the show must have premiered from then to about 1992.

The show aired for a couple of seasons but as I understand it there was a business problem and Franco wasn't pleased so he ceased doing the show.

In a strange way he was largely responsible with me taking another giant step in my radio career since I replaced him as the on air voice on my NFL interviews. Therefore I was the field producer, script writer (new) and host of the show that aired within the news broadcasts.

It's weird but another former NFL Hall of Fame player Frank Gifford gave me the interview that broadened my reporting from only on entertainment focus to adding sports in 1989.

In another strange twist of how now deceased NFL players were instrumental in my career was the coach of the Raiders team that Franco made the catch against… John Madden.

I field produced for the Madden show until the time when… like Franco, I wasn't happy with the business and resigned.

Franco will be missed and his Franco's army (fans) will celebrate his talent and the fond memories he gave them with his brilliant career. RIP

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