Dan Rooney cut Franco Harris — who had four Super Bowl rings and was a SB MVP — when he was on the verge of setting a new NFL rushing record, so why not Le’Veon?

… a Steelers history lesson for Dummies, Art Rooney, II

At one time, the Steelers could play hard ball. But, that was in 1984 when the CEO was Dan Rooney, son of the legendary founder Art Rooney, Sr., “The Chief.”

Today, his son is in charge, and with Dan Rooney’s passing, the truth is that the Steelers are a far cry from the glory years.

What did Dan do? He cut running back Franco Harris, a former Super Bowl MVP and the winner of four Super Bowl rings, in 1984. That was not surprising because Harris, despite his great career, was 34-years-old.

The message in the 21st Century should be clear, but it is not. In short, “Le’Veon, you’re no Franco Harris.”

However, what angered Steeler fans about the move was that the running back, who became beloved in 1972 because of the Immaculate Reception, was just 364 yards short of establishing a new NFL rushing record that was held by the legendary Jim Brown. He would have broken that mark during the 1984 season.

What angered Dan Rooney was that Harris tried to use his fame to force the Steelers into signing him to another long-term contract. Rooney knew that Harris was 34 and on the downward slope of his career. Why didn’t the running back just sign the one-year tender that was offered to him?

A little history would help here.

Franco Harris

The drafting of Franco Harris out of Penn State in 1072 mystified some Steeler fans. A former high school teammate and friend who was then living in Pittsburgh asked, “Why would they draft Harris instead of Lydell Mitchell?”

My answer, “Just wait. You will find out quickly.”

I did not realize that it would be as quick as it was. In his rookie season, Harris was a main cog in the Steelers earning their first postseason playoff berth. He rushed for 1,055 yards on 18 carries for an average of 5.6 a carry. That earned his the AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

However, what made him legendary, and why his statue is outside the Pittsburgh International Airport, occurred in the first postseason game against John Madden and his dastardly Oakland Raiders. The game was a bpromg defensive struggle. but the Raiders had clawed their way back into the lead and appeared to have the game won — until the last play.

That last play is one of the most legendary in NFL history. With the clock winding down, Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw threw a desperation pass down the middle to Franchy Fuqua. The ball was knocked backward like a bullet after Oakland DB Jack Tatum, aka “The Assassin,” went after Fuqua’s head. The ball bounced back about 10 or 12 yards, and Harris, who did not quit on the play, picked it up off his shoe tops and sprinted to the end zone for the Steelers first postaseon win.

A legend was born.

"Legend" did not matter to Rooney
Despite all of that, with Harris rushing for 11, 850 yards on 2,881 carries, and despite the fact that he had rushed for 1,007 yards in 1983, Rooney cut him on Aug. 20, 1984, in a contract dispute. The message was clear: Nobody was going to push the Steelers around, legend or not. They had forced Bradahaw into retirement the previous season, so why not a 34-year-old.

Harris’ production had slumped, but he was still averaging over 4 yards per carry until 1983. That dropped two 3.6 that season, but he still had over 1,000 yards. Nevertheless, Harris was in the last years of his career. So, this made sense from a business perspective.

As for Le’Veon
Without a doubt, Le’Veon Bell is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL. However, he has demonstrated that he in undependable. And now, despite turning down a very generous offer from the Steelers earlier this year, $70 million for five years, $15 mil a season, he still has not signed his franchise tag contract, again at $14 mil.

There is a big difference between Harris and Bell. While Harris was beloved, Bell is despised. He has been suspended twice for drug infractions. Harris had four Super Bowl rings, Bell has none. Harris was popular with his teammates, Bell is now despised. And on and on.

The difference is also with the owners. Now, Art Rooney, II is the principal owner, but he controls just over 30 percent of the team. As CEO, his judgement has been questions by some of the other owners, particularly with regard to Coach Mike Tomlin.

Some of the other owners wanted to see him fired last year after the loss to Jacksonville in the first found of the NFL playoffs. Rooney has supported Tomlin.

However, I have one message for the younger Rooney: “You’re not a chip off the old block.”