Latest news with #FrancoHarris
USA Today
06-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 32: a history of the number and who wore it best
The Steelers countdown to kickoff is here — and we're at 32 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we're taking a look at the history of No. 32 and the players who wore it best. Current Steelers No. 32 wearer: N/A There hasn't been a Steeler to wear No. 32 since the greatest to ever wear the number retired in 1984 — and rightfully so, as he was arguably the greatest running back in franchise history. Last five Steelers to wear No. 32: Best No. 32 in Steelers history: RB Franco Harris There is zero debate here — the greatest Steeler to ever wear No. 32 is the man responsible for arguably the greatest play in NFL history: RB Franco Harris. Selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, Harris made his impact felt right out of the gate, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year for his 1,235 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns in 1972 — and who could forget his role in the Immaculate Reception that very season? Over his 12 years with Pittsburgh, Franco produced 14,234 yards from scrimmage and 100 total touchdowns, as well as owning the Steelers' career rushing records of 11,950 yards and 91 touchdowns. Franco's Italian Army will be the first to tell you how successful he was throughout his Steelers tenure — being named to nine Pro Bowls, earning one First-Team All-Pro selection, two Second-Team All-Pro selections, and winning four Super Bowls, as well as being named Super Bowl IX MVP. He was also named to the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. His impact wasn't just on the field, as he was named NFL Man of the Year in 1976 — proving he was as excellent a human being as he was a running back. Harris' legacy in Pittsburgh is as untouchable as his right to be named the best Steeler to ever wear No. 32. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers insider predicts bad news on Terry Bradshaw having his number retired
Terry Bradshaw is one of the greatest Steelers QBs of all time — and to honor the four Super Bowls he won with Pittsburgh, no other player has donned his legendary No. 12 since he left. However, the number isn't officially retired — and insider Gerry Dulac recently stated it may take a while. During Wednesday's Steelers chat on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dulac was asked for an update on when Pittsburgh will retire Bradshaw's No. 12 — and the Steelers insider provided some bad news: Advertisement "I don't think it's happening anytime soon." His pessimism is founded in reality, however, as only three Steelers have had their jerseys officially retired: Ernie Stautner, 'Mean' Joe Greene, and the late, great Franco Harris. Stautner joined the Steelers in 1950 — playing in 173 games over his 14 years with Pittsburgh — and his contributions to the Steel City earned him the honor of having his No. 70 jersey retired in 1964. Arguably one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history, Greene's 181 games with Pittsburgh over a 13-year span earned his No. 75 the distinction of being the second number retired, in 2014. Harris was the third and most recent Steeler to have his number honored for eternity — as his No. 32 was retired on the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception in 2022. All three of these Steelers legends were honored with having their numbers officially retired — but Bradshaw will likely have to settle for the unofficial recognition for the time being. Advertisement Should any other Steelers legends have their jerseys retired — and if so, who should be next after Bradshaw gets his turn? This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Dulac: 'Steelers unlikely to retire Bradshaw's number anytime soon'
Arab News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
J.J. Spaun weathers the worst of wet Oakmont to win US Open
OAKMONT, Pennsylvania: J.J. Spaun turned a sloppy mess of a US Open at wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end Sunday with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport First came his driver on the 314-yard 17th hole onto the green for a birdie that gave him the lead. Needing two putts from 65 feet on the 18th to win, he finished his storybook Open by holing the longest putt all week at Oakmont for birdie and a 2-over 72. That made him the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279. It gave him a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntire of Scotland. And it made Spaun, the 36-year-old Californian who resembles the late Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, a major champion in only his second US Open. 'I never thought I would be here holding this trophy,' said Spaun, who finished last year at No. 119 in the world with only one PGA Tour title in his career. 'I always had aspirations and dreams. I never knew what my ceiling was. I'm just trying to be the best golfer I can be.' It was calamity for so many others. Sam Burns had a two-shot lead going to the 11th tee, made a double bogey from a divot in the first cut and from a lie in the fairway so wet he thought he deserved relief. He shot 78. Adam Scott, trying to become the first player to go more than 11 years between major titles, was tied for the lead with five holes to play. One of the best drivers could no longer find the fairway. He played them in 5 over and shot 79. 'I missed the fairway. I hadn't done that all week really. Then I did, and I paid the price and lost a lot of shots out there,' Scott said. Carlos Ortiz and Tyrrell Hatton also slashed away in slushy lies, all making mistakes that cost them a chance to survive this beast of day. The rain that put Oakmont on the edge of being unplayable might have saved Spaun. One shot behind at the start of the day, he opened with five bogeys in six holes with some horrific breaks, none worse than hitting the pin on the second hole and seeing it spin back to the fairway. And then came a rain delay of 1 hour, 37 minutes. 'The weather delay changed the whole vibe of the day,' Spaun said. Remarkably, he made only one bogey the rest of the way. But oh, that finish. MacIntyre, the 28-year-old from Oban toughened by the Scottish game of Shinty, became the new target. He also struggled at the start and fell nine shots behind at one point. But he birdied the 17th and split the fairway on the 18th for a key par, a 68 and the clubhouse lead. Three groups later, Spaun delivered what looked like the winner, a powerful fade that rolled onto the green like a putt and settled 18 feet behind the cup. And then the final putt — no one made a longer one all week. He was helped by Viktor Hovland being on the same line and going first. Spaun rapped it through the soaked turf, walked to the left to watch it break right toward the hole and watched it dropped as thousands of rain-soaked spectators erupted. He raised both arms and tossed his putter, jumping into the arms of caddie Mark Carens. The celebration carried into those who lost the battle. MacIntyre, so close to becoming Scotland's first major champion since Paul Lawrie in 1999, sat in scoring in front of a TV and applauded. Hatton was talking with reporters, bemoaning a bad break on the 17th ended his chances of winning. He watched the Spaun's putt and it brightened his mood. 'Unbelievable. What a putt to win. That's incredible,' he said. 'I'm sad about how I finished, but I'm very happy for J.J. To win a major in that fashion is amazing.' Hovland, who shot 73 to finish third, saw it all — the putt at the end, the bogeys at the start. 'After his start, it just looked like he was out of it immediately,' Hovland said. 'Everyone came back to the pack. I wasn't expecting that really. I thought I had to shoot maybe 3-under par today to have a good chance, but obviously the conditions got really, really tough, and this golf course is just a beast.' Hatton (72) and Ortiz (73), both part of LIV Golf and in serious contention at a major for the first time, tied for fourth along with Cameron Young (70). The consolation for Ortiz was getting into the Masters next year. Scottie Scheffler, 10 shots behind early in the final round, was somehow still part of the conversation on the back nine. But he missed far too many birdie chances even three-putting from 12 feet no the 11th hole. The world's No. 1 player finished with a 70 to tie for seventh with Jon Rahm (67) and Burns, his best friend who will feel the sting. He had a double bogey by missing the green into a bad lie on the slope of a bunker. He missed a pair of 6-foot birdie putts to seize control. And when he made a mess of the 15th for another double bogey. Through it all, Spaun emerged as a US Open champion hardly anyone saw coming — not at the start of the year, not at the start of the round.
Globe and Mail
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
J.J. Spaun overcomes poor start to win U.S. Open at sodden Oakmont
J.J. Spaun turned a sloppy mess of a U.S. Open at wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end Sunday with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship. First came his driver on the 314-yard 17th hole onto the green for a birdie that gave him the lead. Needing two putts from 65 feet on the 18th to win, he finished this storybook week by holing the longest putt all week for birdie and a 2-over 72. That made him the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279. It gave him a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre of Scotland. And it made Spaun, the 36-year-old Californian who resembles the late Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, a major champion in only his second U.S. Open. The rain that put Oakmont on the edge of being unplayable might have saved Spaun. One shot behind at the start of the day, he opened with five bogeys in six holes. And then came a rain delay of 1 hour, 37 minutes. Spaun recovered as so many others fell apart.
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
J.J. Spaun wins U.S. open after weathering messy rain delay at Oakmont
J.J. Spaun turned a sloppy mess of a U.S. Open at wet and nasty Oakmont into a thing of beauty at the end Sunday with two stunning shots that carried him to his first major championship. First came his driver on the 314-yard 17th hole onto the green for a birdie that gave him the lead. Needing two putts from 65 feet on the 18th to win, he finished this storybook week by holing the longest putt all week for birdie and a 2-over 72. That made him the only player to finish under par at 1-under 279. It gave him a two-shot victory over Robert MacIntyre of Scotland. And it made Spaun, the 36-year-old Californian who resembles the late Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris, a major champion in only his second U.S. Open. J.J. Spaun celebrates with the trophy after winning the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. Seth Wenig / AP The rain that put Oakmont on the edge of being unplayable might have saved Spaun. One shot behind at the start of the day, he opened with five bogeys in six holes. And then came a rain delay of 1 hour, 37 minutes. Spaun recovered as so many others fell apart.
