Franco Harris was one of the first Mt. Holly Pro Day honorees, and sadly was posthumously remembered as the Pro Day Honoree for 2023.

He passed in December 2022 just two days shy of the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception and his jersey being retired by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Franco personified what it is to be a great ambassador for the game of professional football, and more importantly, a champion of his communities (Mt. Holly & Pittsburgh) by always giving back as a compassionate, caring person.

Born on March 7, 1950, in New Jersey, Franco attended Rancocas Valley High School (RVRHS) in Mt. Holly where he was a star running back for Coach Bill Gordon.  

His talent earned him an athletic scholarship to Penn State where he played for legendary Coach Joe Paterno.

Harris was a 1st round draft pick (13th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972, uniform #32. 

Franco provided big-back power to the Steelers offense.  He had his own cheering section, Franco's Italian Army, and is immortalized in NFL film and history with his Immaculate Reception.

Some of Franco's many NFL awards and achievements include...

All-pro 1977, All-AFC three times, In eight Pro Bowls, and MVP in Super Bowl IX.

Franco was a highly successful businessman as owner of Super Bakery, Inc. and Parks Sausage Company. He served as part of the advisory board at Penn State's Center for Food Innovation and in the Fall of 2009 was named a Conti Professor by Penn State's School of Hospitality Management. In 2011, Harris was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and became co-owner of the Pittsburgh Passion—a women's American Football Team.

Throughout his life Franco was ALWAYS a highly active supporter of Mt. Holly. No amount of words can capture all that Franco did for the Mt. Holly community, Pro Day, Penn State, Pittsburgh, countless charities, organizations and everyday people.