When people think of great running backs in professional football, names like Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith are a couple that are mentioned.
However, one person who is often overlooked is former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris, who played with the team from 1972 to 1983.
Harris stood 6’2’ and weighed 220-230 pounds. He could beat his opponents with his speed or his size, whether by eluding tackles or showing off his power.
Over Harris’ time with the Steelers, he was the person who carried the ball the most for the offense. He had eight 1,000-yard rushing seasons during his lengthy career with the Steelers and with the Seattle Seahawks. During that career, Franco achieved something rare in the 1980s. On Sept. 11, 1983, Harris would rush for 118 yards in a 25-21 win over the Green Bay Packers. In eclipsing 100 yards again, Harris became the third running back to rush for over 11,000 yards in his career.
