Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris died swiftly at age 72. As we take a look again at his life, let's in finding out extra about his parents.
On Dec. 20, 2022, mythical Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Franco Harris died impulsively at age 72.
The reason for dying has yet to be decided, but the four-time Super Bowl champion's passing came simply 3 days earlier than the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception." Franco was once set to wait a ceremony at halftime all the way through the Steelers matchup towards the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Eve to retire his No. 32 jersey.
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Just two days after the NFL international lost one of the crucial greatest to ever step at the football box, Franco's circle of relatives issued a statement and said that "beyond his incredible career with the NFL, Franco represents what is best in humanity: kindness, charity, decency, and humility. ... We know he has touched so many of you, and we mourn with you."
As we honor his legacy with the Steelers, let's glance back at his upbringing — who were Franco Harris's parents?
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Who were Franco Harris's parents?
On March 7, 1950, Franco was born to his father, Cad Harris, and his mom, Gina Parenti Harris.
Cad used to be a Black soldier who served in World War II. He was once stationed in Italy all over the conflict, where he met his long run spouse Gina, a local Italian who became a "war bride" and moved with Cad to the United States after the conflict.
From there, the couple welcomed 9 kids: Daniela, Mario, Franco, Marisa, Alvara, Luana, Piero, Giuseppe, and Michele.
Cad died at age 60 on July 17, 1980, and Gina gave up the ghost on July 15, 1984. She was 86 years old.
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What used to be Franco Harris's ethnicity?
As said before, Franco used to be born to a Black father and an Italian mother.
According to Vault, his Italian roots resulted in his largest fanatics banding in combination as "Franco's Italian Army." The outlet further noted that his fans were an "exuberant ethnic group bedecked with khaki-colored helmet liners who wave Italian flags as they imbibe their wine and cheese" at Steelers games.
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Wait, how did "Franco's Italian Army" come to be? In 1972, Rocky LoCascio, a security guard at Three Rivers Stadium, stated (per Vault) that Franco "may be a Soul Brother, but his legs are Italian." Eventually, the landlord of one among Pittsburgh's biggest Italian bakeries — Tony Stagno — got here up with the theory of forming an Italian military of supporters to liven up the stadium.
After the whole lot was once said and done, this team of lovers rallied at the back of Franco.
Franco's iconic "Immaculate Reception" has religious connotations.
Although Franco's spiritual affiliations are unknown, his well-known play on Dec. 23, 1972, just so occurs to be named with biblical phraseology. At the time, mythical native sportscaster Myron Cope proclaimed that from then on out, Dec. 23 would "be celebrated in Pittsburgh as the Feast of the Immaculate Reception."
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According to Fox 6 News, he were given the theory "from a caller whose boyfriend had coined the name in a barroom victory celebration — putting a twist on the recently passed Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which marks the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin."
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Rev. Lou Vallone, a retired Catholic priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, spoke with Fox 6 News and revealed that the "Immaculate Reception" was the faith's "cultural rallying point."
"It’s what kept us going as we saw our immigrant culture begin to dissipate, as the [economy] went down, the steel mills closed, as people moved out into the suburbs, people moved out of the area," he added. The outlet also famous Lou used to head (*72*) at "the parish nearest the stadium, where the congregants included many game-day tailgaters, clad in Steelers' black and gold."
Our thoughts are with Franco's family, buddies, and fans during this difficult time.
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