The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rich history of producing some of the best running backs in the NFL. From Franco Harris, who helped the team win four Super Bowls in the 1970s, to Najee Harris, who broke Franco’s rookie rushing record in 2022, the Steelers have always relied on their ground game to dominate their opponents. But are these two Harris running backs related by blood? The answer might surprise you.
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Franco Harris: The Legend of the Immaculate Reception
Franco Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950. His father, Cad Harris, was a Black soldier who served in World War II and met his mother, Gina Parenti, a native Italian, while stationed in Italy. Franco grew up in a diverse and multicultural environment, and excelled at football from an early age. He attended Penn State University, where he played for legendary coach Joe Paterno and became one of the best running backs in college football history.
In 1972, Franco was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact as a rookie, rushing for over 1,000 yards and earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. But his most memorable moment came in the playoffs that year, when he caught a deflected pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw and ran for a touchdown in the final seconds of the game against the Oakland Raiders. The play, known as the Immaculate Reception, is widely considered to be the greatest play in NFL history and gave the Steelers their first playoff win ever.
Franco went on to have a stellar career with the Steelers, winning four Super Bowls and becoming the MVP of Super Bowl IX. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, and the NFL rushing touchdowns leader in 1976. He finished his career with over 12,000 rushing yards and 91 rushing touchdowns, ranking among the all-time leaders in both categories. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and had his number 32 retired by the Steelers in 2022.
Najee Harris: The Rising Star of the Steel City
Najee Harris was born in Martinez, California, on March 9, 1998. He had a tough childhood, growing up with a single mother and four siblings in various troubled neighborhoods. He even spent some time in a homeless shelter when he was in middle school. Despite these hardships, Najee found solace and success in football. He attended Antioch High School, where he became one of the most highly recruited running backs in the nation. He committed to Alabama University, where he played for coach Nick Saban and won two national championships.
In 2021, Najee was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as the team’s starting running back and had a phenomenal rookie season. He broke Franco’s rookie rushing record with 1,200 yards on the ground and added another 696 yards through the air. He scored 20 total touchdowns and made his first Pro Bowl appearance. He also impressed fans and teammates with his work ethic, leadership, and personality.
Najee also showed his generosity and compassion off the field. He started a nonprofit called Da’Bigger Picture Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged youth achieve their dreams through education and sports. He also donated money and supplies to one of the shelters he grew up at in California and helped renovate it.
Are They Related?
Despite sharing the same last name and playing for the same team, Franco Harris and Najee Harris are not related by blood. They do not have any common ancestors or relatives that they know of. However, they do share a bond as members of the Steelers family and as running backs who have made their mark on the franchise and the league.
Franco has expressed his admiration and support for Najee several times. In September 2022, he said that he was a fan of Najee and that he liked his “cousin” and what he was doing so far (according to Steelers Depot). He also said that Najee was a great human being who did great things as a running back. Najee has also shown his respect and appreciation for Franco. In December 2022, he paid tribute to Franco after his death by wearing his jersey before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs (according to ESPN).
Franco Harris and Najee Harris may not be related by blood, but they are related by spirit. They are both legends of the Steelers’ running back tradition and icons of their respective generations. They are both examples of excellence on and off the field. They are both part of the Steelers’ family. And they are both Harris running backs who have made history in Pittsburgh.
