Steelers to unveil new 'Immaculate Reception' monument

The Steelers will unveil a new monument dedicated to Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception" where the catch took place, to honor the 40th anniversary of the play. The play took place in Three Rivers Stadium, of course, and the statue will be unveiled where that building stood, near the Steelers' current home of Heinz Field.

The unveiling will take place on Saturday, December 22. The Steelers will recognize Harris at halftime of the Bengals vs. Steelers matchup the following day.

"This year marks the 40th anniversary of the ‘Immaculate Reception’ and it will forever have a place in all of our memories," Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Over the years, I have had many fans tell me we should do something to commemorate the exact location of Franco Harris’ catch."

Harris, of course, has spent the past year or so defending the legacy of former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno, to the point of Harris diminishing his own legacy. I'm sure Steelers fans will still find plenty to cheer about, since the Immaculate Reception is, of course, so fondly remembered, but I wonder if anyone concerned wishes the timing of the 40th anniversary of the play had been a bit better.

For more on the Steelers, check out Behind The Steel Curtain.