Football fans weren’t happy about NFL Network cutting away from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tribute to the late Franco Harris during halftime of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Saturday was a somber day for the Pittsburgh Steelers organization and fanbase. On Tuesday, legendary running back Franco Harris passed away at the age of 72, just days before the team was set to retire his No. 32 while honoring the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception in the 1972 AFC Divisional playoff game against the Raiders.
NFL Network aired the Steelers vs. Raiders game on Saturday. When the game reached halftime, the channel stayed with the ceremony, where president Art Rooney II made comments and presented Harris’ widow, Dana, and son, Dok, with the running back’s jersey. Members of the 1972 Steelers team were on the field for the ceremony as well.
As the public address announce at Acrisure Stadium instructed the crowd to turn their attentions to the video board for a tribute to Harris, NFL Network cut to a commercial. The viewing audience who tuned in to watch the entire tribute and ceremony for Harris wasn’t happy with the station’s decision to go to a commercial.
Fans upset with NFL Network for cutting to commercial during Franco Harris tribute
It was certainly a decision for NFL Network to make, and as you can tell by the reaction, it wasn’t a popular decision.
For those who do want to watch the rest of the tribute, the Steelers’ official Twitter account posted the full 11-minute ceremony. For those wanting to see the exact video tribute to Harris is, that begins at the 6:45 mark.
Harris was a legend ever since joining the Steelers in 1972. He played a pivotal role in the Immaculate Reception in the aforementioned AFC Divisional playoff game. As quarterback Terry Bradshaw intended to throw a pass to John Fuqua, but it bounced off the helmet of Raiders safety Jack Tatum. Harris grabbed the football before it hit the ground and ran it in for the touchdown with just seconds remaining in regulation.
In 12 seasons with the Steelers, Harris won four Super Bowl titles, the Super Bowl 9 MVP award, and the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award (1972). He was also a nine-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro.
Ahead of the game, numerous Steelers players wore Harris No. 32 jerseys as they walked into the stadium. During pre-game introductions, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward ran onto the field holding a flag featuring Harris’ No. 32.
Those who wanted to watch the Harris ceremony won’t be too pleased with the NFL Network for quite some time, considering they cut away in the middle of it.
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