50 Years Later: Sports Museum Kicks Off Campaign to Honor Immaculate Reception Anniversary
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris and his team changed the fortunes of a franchise and a city by making the legendary touchdown catch-and-run, which secured the Steelers’ first-ever playoff victory on Dec. 23, 1972, leading to four Super Bowl championships during the 1970s (photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers, photo by Harry Cabluck / Associated Press).
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, part of the Senator John Heinz History Center’s family of museums, unveiled a special campaign to commemorate the Immaculate Reception – the greatest play in NFL history – to mark its 50th anniversary this season.
On Dec. 23, 1972, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris helped change the fortunes of a franchise and a city by making the legendary catch and touchdown run, which secured the Steelers’ first-ever playoff victory and led to four Super Bowl championships during the 1970s.
This season, the Sports Museum will help honor the Immaculate Reception’s golden anniversary with exhibition updates, a special public program, merchandise, and more.
Sports Museum to Showcase New Franco Harris Artifacts
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is the home of the Immaculate Reception year-round and features a lifelike figure of Franco Harris making the catch (its iconic twin is located at the Pittsburgh International Airport!), Harris’ cleats from the play, the Three Rivers Stadium field turf where it happened, and other 1970s Steelers artifacts.
Beginning Nov. 9, the Sports Museum will add rare and never-before-seen artifacts and historic images to its Super Steelers exhibition that examine the life and career of Harris, the New Jersey native and Penn State star who captivated Pittsburgh with his hard-running style and intensity during his rookie season in 1972.
The installation will feature the football from the Immaculate Reception play, owned by local fan Jim Baker, that will be on public view in a museum exhibition for just the second time ever.
Additional Franco Harris artifacts include:
Football jersey from Rancocas Valley High School (N.J.)
“Franco’s Italian Army” helmet
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket
The Franco Harris installation within the Super Steelers exhibition will be on view beginning Wednesday, Nov. 9, through early 2024.
Special 50th Anniversary Event on Dec. 22
The Sports Museum is partnering with the Pittsburgh Steelers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception during an evening event, “Franco Harris and the Immaculate Reception: 50 Years Later,” Thursday, Dec. 22, at 6:30 p.m.
The program will include a lively panel discussion featuring Franco Harris, his teammates, and other special guests as they reflect and share stories about his Hall of Fame career, the 1972 season, and the greatest play in NFL history.
Tickets are on sale now and cost $32 for regular admission and $20 for History Center members.
To purchase tickets for the Dec. 22 event and for more details about the Sports Museum’s Immaculate Reception offerings, visit heinzhistorycenter.org/Immaculate50.
Show Us Your #Francoing Photos
This football season, the Sports Museum is challenging Steelers Nation to celebrate the play’s 50th anniversary by doing their best Immaculate Reception impression and posting “Francoing” photos to social media.
Fans can post photos of themselves #Francoing by tagging the History Center on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. Each fan will be automatically entered to win a Black & Gold prize package that will include tickets to the Dec. 22 event, exclusive merchandise, and more!