Franco Harris Death Cause, Illness, Cancer, Parents & Family Details

Franco Harris Death Cause

Quick Summary

Four Super Bowls winner Franco Harris died at the age of 72. His fans and sports community is grieving over his death. Franco Harris Death was purely due to natural causes and wasn’t suffering from any illness at the time of death. Other details about his health family, wife & parents’ are given in this article.

It is with a heavy heart that we must say goodbye to Franco Harris. One of the greatest football players of our generation. A true legend of the game. Harris was a force to be reckoned with on the field, and his death has left the fans heartbroken!

As a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harris won four Super Bowls and was named MVP of Super Bowl IX. He was also one of the few players to have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Harris was a true pioneer of the game, and his loss will be felt by all who loved him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.

However, what has truly been a topic of discussion is the reason for his death. Although there have been certain rumors about the cause of his death, there’s a lot of confusion among the fans. And clearly, the speculations have been making a buzz!

So what really happened? How did

Let’s find out!

Franco Harris Death

Franco Harris, best known for his “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 AFC divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders, has died at the age of 72. His son Dok confirmed the news.ย 

Harris was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection during his 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He is also a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and the Steelers’ All-Time Team.ย 

In a recent interview, Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter expressed his grief regarding the sudden death of Franco Harris. The former NFL player died unexpectedly at the age of 72. Leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest running backs in history. Porter said that Harris was “a true legend of the game” and that his death is a “huge loss” for both the Hall of Fame and the NFL community. 

He went on to say that Harris was “a class act” both on and off the field and that he will be deeply missed. Harris was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.After a stellar career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, during which he won four Super Bowls. He is best remembered for his “Immaculate Reception” – a miraculous catch that helped secure a victory in a playoff game against the Oakland Raiders in 1972. 

Porter concluded by saying that Harris’s legacy will live on through both his many accomplishments and the countless lives he touched. He shared, โ€œWe have lost a tremendous football player, an outstanding ambassador to the Hall.” He further added, “Most importantly, we have lost one of the best guys anyone has ever met.”

How Did Franco Harris Die?

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris passed away on December 20, 2022, at the age of 72. His death was due to natural causes, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. 

Harris was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a four-time All-Pro during his 13 seasons with the Steelers from 1972 to 1984. He is best remembered for his “Immaculate Reception” – a pass from Terry Bradshaw that he caught in the back of the end zone to beat the Oakland Raiders in an AFC divisional playoff game in 1972. Harris finished his career with 12,120 rushing yards and 91 touchdowns.

Did He Have Cancer?

Ever since his death news came out, rumors were circulating on social media that Franco Harris, the former NFL running back, had died of cancer. However, these appear to be false. Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and was a star player at Penn State University. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. After retiring from football, Harris became involved in various business ventures.

The rumors about his death appear to have started after a post on social media claimed that Harris had passed away due to cancer. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. The cause of his death is still unknown although it is being reported that the causes were natural. 

Parents & Family Details

Franco Harris Family Details
Father:Cad Harris
Mother:Gina Parenti Harris
Siblings:3 Brothers & 5 Sisters
Wife:Dana Dokmanovich
Kids:1 Son

Franco Harris was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, on March 7, 1950. His father, Cad Harris, was a sergeant in the United States Army. His mother, Gina Parenti Harris was a homemaker who was of Italian origin. Franco Harris was born into a large family – he had three brothers and five sisters. His parents were both from Italy and had emigrated to the United States in search of a better life. 

Franco grew up in a tough neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had to fight for everything he had. Despite the challenges he faced, Franco went on to have an incredible career as a professional football player. He is best known for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he won four Super Bowl titles. 

He is of African American and Italian descent. His father Cad served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. After the war, he worked as a postal clerk and later as a supervisor for the United States Postal Service. Gina Parenti Harris was a stay-at-home mom who raised Franco and his siblings.

Franco Harris grew up in Rosedale, a neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey. He attended East Side High School, where he excelled in athletics. In 1967, Harris won the New Jersey state championship in the shot put event with a throw of 58 feet 11 inches (17.96 m). He also competed in football and track and field at East Side High School. After graduating from high school in 1968, Harris attended Penn State University on an athletic scholarship.

He enjoyed a successful career with the team, winning four Super Bowls. He was married to Dana Dokmanovich, his college lover. The two stayed together ever since their college days and Franco later went to Penn State University, which was also Dana’s alma mater. 

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