Pittsburgh Steelers legend Mel Blount was in attendance during the side’s NFL game vs the Las Vegas Raiders. The former cornerback was spotted greeting wide receiver George Pickens ahead of the game.
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Pickens was present in his trademark cowboy hat at the game where the Steelers are honouring Franco Harris, their iconic running back who died on December 20, 2022 at the age of 72.
The Steelers had earlier announced that they would retire their #32 jersey in memory of Harris. A minute of silence was also held ahead of the match.
The Pittsburgh weather has become a concern for fans who are at the Acrisure Stadium for the match. The temperature in the city is around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Many parts of the United States are currently under Winter Storm Elliot threat.
Blount’s presence in tonight’s game was expected since he was a long-time teammate of Harris. When the former running back died, Blount had released a statement in which he called Harris “the most decent human being I have ever known.”
“Franco was a great football player but even a better person. He always made time for others. … Franco was a huge supporter of the Mel Blount Youth Leadership Initiative and poured his heart out to every youth organization throughout the Pittsburgh community.” Blount continued, “I am grateful for our friendship. I will truly miss my brother, teammate and dear friend.”
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Harris died on December 20, which was only three days before the 50th anniversary of his now-iconic “Immaculate Reception”.
Dok, Harris’ son, said about his father’s death to ESPN, “People [have been] telling me stories about how they met him sometime in 1977 or 1987 or 1991. It was important to them, and it made a difference in their lives. And that’s really the beauty of my father, truly a very blessed soul who just really sought to help everybody out.”
