Steelers Cancel Immaculate Reception Festivities; Radio Replay Still On

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have canceled most of the planned ceremonies on the North Shore on Friday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception in the wake of the death of Franco Harris and a winter storm forecast to hit the area.

An in-person premiere of the NFL Network “A Football Life” episode scheduled for Friday at Stage AE has been canceled entirely.

Celebrations that were planned to be held around the Immaculate Reception marker on the North Shore outside the the east gates of Acrisure Stadium have been scaled down. 

Planned ceremonies that included both former Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders and remarks from Steelers president Art Rooney II have been canceled. The team will still play the radio broadcast of the play over loudspeakers at 3:41 p.m. to commemorate the anniversary.

The Acrisure Stadium Great Hall, Pro Shop and Hall of Honor Museum will all be open to the public on Friday. The Great Hall will be open from 2-5 and will be free to the public. Parking will be available at Stage AE and stadium lots Gold 1, Gold 2 and Gold 1 Garage.

An unrelated event that was scheduled for the Heinz History Center for Thursday night, with a roundtable panel to include Harris, Joe Greene, Frenchy Fuqua, Jon Kolb, Phil Villapiano and Mike Siani has also been canceled. Refunds will be distributed to ticket holders.

The team is still planning to retire Harris’ No. 32 uniform at halftime of the game on Saturday night.

Funeral plans for Harris have not yet been announced.