Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris has died, and The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh was on the air as the news was confirmed by media reports.
“We were planned out, and we’re going to rip up the whole show,” Colin Dunlap said. “Channel 4 is reporting right now, sources confirm Steelers Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris has died at the age of 72. That’s according to Channel 4. It’s on their website, it’s breaking news on their broadcast right now.”
Dunlap then admitted he was told the news early Wednesday morning, but wasn’t going to talk about it until it had been confirmed.
“That being said, I got here early this morning and had some police sources get in contact with me, and was absolutely not going to speak a word of it until it was 9 million-percent confirmed…the timing is absolutely incredible. The celebration due to happen this weekend. Guys, I’m at a total loss for words.”
“I still haven’t been able to process what’s going on,” Chris Mack said. “I still haven’t been able to process all this — not because of the news, we all deal with death in different ways — but because the timing of all this. Absolutely unbelievable. Three days before he was to be honored with his number retirement in front of Steelers fans and the world. Two days shy of the anniversary of the Immaculate Reception.”
“It’s secondary at this point but I don’t know what you do with the ceremonies this weekend,” Dunlap said. “Art Rooney II is in a position that is totally unenviable right now. There’s seemingly no decision you can make that would feel like the right one.”
Mack later added many in Pittsburgh sports media had clashed with Harris over the years, admitting the two had phone calls where they vehemently disagreed about something the radio host had said, but he was one of the original people to make the Steel City their home after their playing days and was a pillar of the community.
“The timing on all this is so gut-wrenching,” Dorin Dickerson said. “To know he was going to be honored on Saturday and the situation we’re in, it’s absolutely tough. So tough.”
