TRIBUTE - THE MAN: Football Legend Franco Harris

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I was nine years old when Franco caught the Immaculate Reception. I was just becoming a football fan, just learning the game, from my dad and my coaches. I really enjoyed watching football, especially with my dad, but I loved playing it even more. When I played, I was always number 32 or later, number 58.

I thought I remembered watching the Immaculate Reception game, but it was not on local TV. Was it a rebroadcast I watched? It’s a highlight that I have now seen probably a thousand times. I no longer remember, but it was a great day that my dad and I talked about for many years.

Even with all the great athletes who came through Pittsburgh during my childhood, I never really considered athletes role models. Well, maybe a few. Roberto. Mario. Franco was one of those. Funny how these great men are known by just one name!

There certainly were other people I would prefer my kids look up to. First and foremost, teachers, military, coaches, leaders, my brothers and sisters in law enforcement.

Flash forward about 36 years after the Immaculate Reception. Hannah was among the leaders in middle school; academically, athletically, voluntary community involvement… a leader. One day, the principal called me. I was PTA president at the time. She told me that a group of the top students were being taken to a county program to be recognized, and Franco was going to be a keynote speaker. She asked if I would like to accompany them. I was not needed, but she thought I might enjoy it. Of course I would like to go!

I sat through the program. I can no longer remember what was said, but afterward, the small group of Greensburg Salem middle school students had a chat session with Franco. I told him my dad was Italian and absolutely love him and Franco's Italian Army. I was wearing a PSP shirt. Franco saw it and asked about it. I told him I was a trooper. He asked my name. Franco Harris wanted to know my name! He thought it was cool that I was a trooper. He was sincere. He asked a lot of questions about it, about stuff troopers do, about things I had done. He asked the kids if they knew "Mr. Gabriel." Most of them nodded their heads. The principal told him that I was PTA president and most of the kids knew me because I was fairly active in the school. He laughed at that. He said he didn't remember ever meeting a dad who was a PTA president. He said that was "cool" too. He seemed to like the word "cool."

He asked if one of the kids was mine, and Hannah raised her hand. He talked to her specifically and addressed the rest of the kids. What he said to them blew me away. He told them that a lot of kids look up to athletes and celebrities, but "Mr. Gabriel is a hero. That ALL police officers are heroes, that all people that do things for kids are heroes." These were his exact words. Man, I could have cried. I probably did. He asked if I could join him for a picture that one of his people took.

Franco Harris was not just a great athlete, not just a once-in-a-lifetime Hall of Famer, he was a great man. I will remember his kind words for the rest of MY life.

Thank you for that Franco. Rest in Peace.

Dale Gabriel is a retired patrol and community services officer with the Pennsylvania State Police. After 25+ years of service, in retirement, he has been working on a book of his many PSP memories. He also coaches a baseball team in a Miracle League for those with special needs. He holds a communication degree with English minor from Saint Vincent College in Western Pennsylvania.