Penn State and NFL legend Franco Harris will join students in "reflecting the spirit" during this year's homecoming celebration.
The homecoming overall committee selected the former Penn State Nittany Lion and Pittsburgh Steeler, famous for the "immaculate reception," to serve as the Grand Marshall for homecoming 2007.
After mulling over the decision, Harris, who said he likes to maintain a lower profile these days, decided to accept the position.
"What the heck," Harris said.
The self-described "low key" alumnus was surprised when he received the request from the homecoming committee.
"It was a surprise that they did ask me," Harris said. "I wasn't expecting it."
Homecoming alumni relations chair Jehan Arafa (senior-public relations), said their first attempt to contact Harris through a letter went unanswered, but a follow-up contact with his wife was successful. Arafa said Harris' wife has been "absolutely wonderful" with helping in the planning.
As the alumni relations chair, Arafa said it was her job to compile a list of about 25 potential Grand Marshall candidates. Voting by the homecoming overall committee narrowed the list down to two or three candidates and then to one -- Harris -- the committee's first choice.
Harris' duties as Grand Marshall will include his appearance at the homecoming parade and the ice cream social, which is an opportunity for him to mingle with his fans, Arafa said.
"[The ice cream social is] the main time that if people do want to meet him, that's where they'll get to talk to him," she said
Although he played Penn State football nearly 40 years ago, Harris has something in common with the current team -- Joe Paterno as head coach.
"It was a great experience in a number of ways," Harris said about his experience as a Nittany Lion. "Penn State football prepared me well for the pros."
Harris said he still likes to keep up with his Penn State football roots.
"I do like to make one or two games a year," said Harris, who was spotted at the Penn State vs. Notre Dame Sept. 8 game this year.
Since retiring from the NFL after 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and one final season with the Seattle Seahawks, according gopsusports.com, Harris said he has remained in the Pittsburgh area with his wife, where he is in the bakery business.
Although he now makes doughnuts and cinnamon buns, football is neither out of sight nor out of mind for Harris. His doughnuts, which are sold in Giant grocery stores, come in boxes featuring pictures of famous athletes.
"We have doughnuts with Joe Paterno's picture on the box," Harris said. "We honor a sport figure for what they do on and off the field."
The athletes are chosen regionally for "things they do to improve and make the community better," Harris said. "That's very important to Joe Paterno."
The figures on the boxes, which Harris compared to the celebrity Wheaties boxes, feature different athletes for each region in which they are sold.
It will truly be a homecoming for Harris, who said he is excited to return to Happy Valley.
"I'm always excited when I go up for a football weekend. It's always an exciting time," Harris said. "It's nice to see the great energy from the Penn State fans and especially the Penn State students."
