Christmas Eve is officially “Franco Harris Day” in the City of Pittsburgh, Mayor Ed Gainey announced. “50 years ago today Franco Harris made the immaculate reception and led the way to the Steelers winning 4 Super Bowls,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Today we honor not just his talents on the field, but his success off of it. Pittsburgh will always remember him for his generosity and kind spirit. May his memory is a blessing for all of us.”

Harris, a Pittsburgh Steelers Hall-of-Famer, died overnight on Dec. 21. He was 72. Franco was the first African-American and the first Italian-American to be named a Super Bowl MVP. His Super Bowl career totals of 101 carries for 354 yards are records, and his four career rushing touchdowns are tied for the second most in Super Bowl history.