When two Presidents of the United States have something to say about it, you know it's a big deal.
Of course, everyone in Pittsburgh is well aware of the impact Franco Harris had on the Steelers and many that call this city home. That's why the news of Harris' death just three days before his No. 32 is retired by the franchise has shaken Steelers Nation to its core.
Just over 24 hours after he addressed the media during his typical Tuesday press conference, Mike Tomlin stood in front of the media at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex once again. Only this time, his demeanor was nearly unrecognizable:
"We had a productive day. Obviously, we did so with a heavy heart. This organization, this community, the football world, we lost a great one in Franco Harris," Tomlin said Wednesday. "Obviously, we're all heartbroken. But we do look forward to honoring him and his legacy this weekend."
The news of Harris' death changed everything for this franchise, even down to the structure of the day on the South Side as the Steelers prepare to play the Raiders Saturday night. Media availability for the locker room this morning was combined with our standard availability in the afternoon, and practice was moved back slightly to 12:30 p.m.
Tomlin's demeanor represented a man in grief. Even when he was asked how some of the players that were closer with Harris were dealing with his sudden loss, Tomlin wasn't afraid to be even just a little bit vulnerable.
"I've been dealing with it myself," Tomlin said. "I don't know that I have the type of perspective you're looking for."
Even stepping foot into the locker room, there was just a different vibe. It wasn't somber or quiet, but there was a different feel to it. It's just something you can sense when you read the room. And for the few players who did speak with the media, it reinforced what Tomlin said just a few minutes prior: This team is taking it hard.
"Personally, I developed a friendship with him," Cam Heyward said of Harris. "Any time I got to talk to him, he had a smile on his face. You can talk about the player he was on the field and without him there is no dynasty because he was the jumping off point for that group. Then you talk about the man off the field. To know the standard was set with guys like him. The way he was involved in the community and the way he involved everybody. Franco meant so much to so many people. He lived a full life and I think a lot of people are going to miss him."
While Heyward's a 12-year veteran, even some of the younger players had a kinship with Harris. Unsurprisingly, Pat Freiermuth was one of them. That began during his time at Penn State and grew to another level from the time Harris announced Freiermuth's name during the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
"Me seeing him earlier this week and he was talking about how excited he was for the event and how he was looking forward to seeing everyone, seeing all his teammates. Everyone in Pittsburgh being there for one sole reason, retiring his jersey, he was definitely excited," Freiermuth said. "It's a weird way of going about it now, but he'll be there in spirit and hopefully his wife, Dana, is there, and we can honor her and honor her husband's legacy and do anything possible to honor that."
But Freiermuth isn't the only young player that Harris took under his wing or tried to mentor. Legends from the history of this franchise come around pretty frequently, but none more than Harris. Even recently, Harris was the one to show up for the opening of the Steelers' new Hall of Honor Museum.
These players had plenty of opportunities to interact with Harris, which is a whole other reason why his death hits this organization so hard. His dedication to this franchise goes far beyond his playing career.
"That's something that we talk openly about, and we appreciate," Tomlin said. "The support that these current players get from those that have come before them and Franco was just such a shining example of that. When those guys spent time with him, they realized that he didn't want anything from them; he just wanted the absolute best for them. That unconditional love, guys feel that, and that's why they felt about him the way they felt about him."
So many people were looking forward to braving the harsh wintry conditions this Saturday to honor what Harris did for this organization and the city of Pittsburgh. While the steel industry was collapsing in the 1970s, the Steelers came along and provided hope during a time when there was none and people were losing their jobs. Harris' Immaculate Reception sparked the greatest dynasty in NFL history, which gave Pittsburgh and its citizens a much needed renewed sense of pride.
When people fly into Pittsburgh International Airport, there are three statues that everyone must walk by to get to baggage claim: America's first president George Washington, journalism pioneer Nellie Bly and Harris.
There's a reason much bigger than football why an athlete is one of those three.
"I don't think they're just putting anybody up at the airport. Franco was the guy," Heyward said. "He always had the utmost respect for every player, every person in the city. There was just a level of humility when you talked to Franco. We lost a good one today."
While this team is taking the loss of a legend very hard, they still have a game to prepare for. While Tomlin said he and his team aren't "looking for motivational fruit" to win this game for Harris, he understands what a strong performance means for this team, this city and the many, many people affected by Harris' death.
"Obviously, where our attention needs to be is on the preparation required to put together the type of performance that's fitting of a great man like Franco," Tomlin said. "...I meant what I said yesterday. I just admire and love the man. So much to be learned from him in terms of how he conducted himself, how he embraced the responsibilities of being Franco, for Steelers Nation, for this community, for the Penn State followers. He embraced it all, and did it with such grace, and class, and patience, and time for people."
MORE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE
• The Steelers did, in fact, practice on Wednesday, and the injury report was rather lengthy.
Kenny Pickett (concussion) fully practiced, though he is still in the concussion protocol. Joining him as full participants were Josh Jackson (ankle), Derek Watt (ankle), Pat Freiermuth (foot) and Cam Heyward (vet rest). Myles Jack (groin) practiced, but in a limited capacity.
Diontae Johnson (toe), Najee Harris (hip), Terrell Edmunds (hamstring), J.C. Hassenauer (personal reasons) and Larry Ogunjobi (rest/toe) did not practice. Edmunds told me his hamstring is feeling good after getting some treatment Wednesday.
• Freiermuth's left foot was heavily wrapped after practice. Him being a full participant is a good sign, but I have yet to see anything definitive to convince me that he's at 100 percent.
• In terms of roster moves, the Steelers had one minor one Wednesday in signing DE Mike Tafua to the practice squad.
Tafua played at the University of Utah where he was named to the Associated Press Pac-12 All-Conference First Team and was the Pac-12 Morris Trophy recipient.
