Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 best running backs in franchise history
By Randy Gurzi
. FB. (1972-84). Franco Harris. 2. player. 55
Greatest running backs in Pittsburgh Steelers history: #2. Franco Harris
The 1970s were the golden age of Steelers football. While they were well-known for the suffocating ‘Steel Curtain’ defense, their offense also had their share of superstars who are still popular to this day.
Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, receiver Lynn Swann and fullback Franco Harris were the triplets before the Dallas Cowboys trio of Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith were given the iconic nickname.
Harris, a New Jersey native who went to Penn State, came to the team in the 1972 NFL Draft. He wound up playing 12 seasons with Pittsburgh before spending his final professional season with the Seattle Seahawks.
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During his time in Pittsburgh, he was named to nine consecutive Pro Bowls, two All-Pro Second-Teams and one First-Team. He was also named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1972 after recording 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first campaign.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Harris was a hard-nosed runner that set the tone on offense during their dynasty years. After recording more than 1,000 yards for the second time in his career in 1974, he then went on an absolutely dominant run in the 1974 postseason.
That year, Harris rumbled for 343 yards and six touchdowns, as he guided the team to their first-ever Super Bowl win. The following year, he again was central to a title run, as he had 314 yards and two scores leading them to a second Lombardi Trophy. Overall, Harris had 1,556 yards and 16 touchdowns in 19 career playoff games and has four Super Bowl rings to show for his work.
To this day, Harris is the No. 1 rusher in team history, as he finished with 11,950 yards and 91 touchdowns. When adding in his nine receiving touchdowns, Harris finished with 100 career regular-season scores.