Mike Tomlin's heartfelt reaction to death of Franco Harris
The Steelers legend died at 72.
The Football Feed
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the extended National Football League family lost an icon yesterday with the passing of legend Franco Harris; he was just days away from having his jersey number retired by the team on Saturday night.
And it certainly was a somber mood around the rest of the organization, as exemplified by head coach Mike Tomlin, who was clearly emotional.
"I just admire and loved the man," Tomlin said Wednesday afternoon. "There was so much to be learned from him in terms of how he conducted himself, how he embraced the responsibilities of being Franco. For Steelers Nation, this community, the Penn State followers, he just embraced it all and did it with grace and class and patience and time for people."
Harris had attended a game earlier this season, and had also spent time talking with younger players on the roster during a practice session.
"That's something we talk openly about and we appreciate – the support these current players get from those who have come before them," Tomlin said. "Franco was just such a shining example of that. When those guys spent time with him, they realized he didn't want anything from them."
"He just wanted the absolute best for them. That unconditional love, guys feel that. That's why they felt about him the way they felt about him."
