Pittsburgh Steelers: 30 greatest players in franchise history
RB. (1972-83). Franco Harris. 4. player. 55.
Franco Harris. People always start talking about the Steel Curtain and Terry Bradshaw when they bring up the 70’s, but truth be told, there was no offensive player on the roster that was better than the running back.
He could do it all. For a player in a time when running backs simply ran the ball, Harris was as dynamic as they’ve been. His ability to catch, make moves to the outside and block were unprecedented for a player of his time.
Say what you want about Jerome Bettis and Le’Veon Bell, Harris was a version of them in a time when running backs got beat up on the field. But not once did he ever shy away from making a play, and constantly, he ended up turning whatever he was handed into something special.
A Super Bowl MVP and nine-time Pro Bowler, Harris is easily the greatest Steelers’ running back of all-time, and top-four to wear to ever black and gold. Bettis was great and Bell is outstanding, but Harris is the gold standard when it comes to pounding the rock for the Steelers.