Franco Harris puts stamp of approval on newest Steelers running back

Apr. 30—A certain Hall of Fame running back offered a special greeting Friday afternoon to the newest member of the Pittsburgh Steelers backfield, one who carries an identical surname.

"Welcome to Pittsburgh, cuz," Franco Harris said with a laugh.

To say Harris is happy the Steelers took former Alabama star Najee Harris — no relation — with the No. 24 overall pick Thursday night would be akin to saying he's thankful officials didn't overturn his Immaculate Reception catch because of an illegal deflection.

And not just because the 1990 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and owner of the Steelers' record for career rushing yards and touchdowns has a namesake on the current roster.

"I feel this is a time where we need to get back to hard-nosed football," Harris said by phone from Cleveland where he was set to announce the Steelers' second-round pick Friday night. "I'm a believer in the running game, and I think Najee was a great pick for us to set the tone for what we need to do out there on the field.

"We have to keep our defense off the field, control the ball, get physical and play Steeler football."

The Steelers haven't done that much lately. After they finished last in the NFL in rushing in 2020 and ranked no higher than No. 29 in any of the past three seasons, Harris embraced team president Art Rooney II's proclamation that fixing the running game was a top priority.

"I think we got away from it, especially last year on the goal line," Harris said. "It was like, 'Geez, what are you guys doing here?' I don't know what the ratio was of pass to run last year, but I don't think it was good for running backs. We need to set the tone. That is important."

Franco Harris used his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame to amass 11,950 career rushing yards and 91 touchdowns with the Steelers from 1971-83. Najee Harris measured 6-1 and 232 pounds at Alabama's pro day. He is the school's all-time rushing leader with 3,843 yards, as well as total touchdowns (57) and rushing scores (46).

Other similarities are that Franco Harris also was selected in the first round, the Steelers taking him with the No. 13 overall pick in 1972. Both attended storied college football powers and played for ultra-successful coaches — Franco for Joe Paterno at Penn State, Najee for Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa.

That's where the comparisons should end, Franco Harris said.

"Listen, I definitely don't want to get into a situation where people are comparing us," he said. "He has his own path. He's a running back who has his own style. I'm sure we pick things up from other running backs and that kind of thing. Every running back has his own way and his own time."

Franco said he watched Najee play a few times last season. As much as he's enjoyed Najee's style of running the football, Franco also has heard nothing but positives about the rookie's demeanor and attitude.

"Not only do we have a great ballplayer on the field, but I like the way he conducts himself off the field," Franco said. "Nick Saban demands that type of thing. He's coming from a great program. Now, he's going to the next step, right? We all know there is a huge difference, and we all know there will be many challenges. Expectations will be high. People will be watching him. He's met other challenges in life and has succeeded. He'll come to the next level and set the tone for where we want to go in the future."

Harris wants the Steelers to continue setting the tone on the second day of the draft by addressing an offensive line that is being rebuilt with only Pro Bowl guard David DeCastro remaining from the core up front.

Asked if he's hoping the Steelers will have the name of a tackle or center written on the piece of paper he presents Friday night at the draft, Harris couldn't contain another laugh.

"You read my mind," he said. "How did you know that? Absolutely. That's what I'm hoping for. It's that attitude of running the ball, that certain attitude and skill you have to work on to be successful. You bet I'm hoping it's someone on the offensive line."

Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe by email at jrutter@triblive.com or via Twitter .