Franco's Italian Army | January 2023

In 1972, two lifelong Steelers fans realized that it would “take an army” to energize the team’s fan base after an 8-year-long losing streak. Rallying around rookie running back Franco Harris, business partners Al Vento and Tony Stagno started one of football’s most famous fan clubs: Franco’s Italian Army. Each week, their troops – equipped with homemade food, red wine, Italian flags, and vintage army helmets – marched into Three Rivers Stadium to cheer on Harris and celebrate their shared Italian heritage.

The season proved to be a turning point for the Steelers, who entered the playoffs for the first time since 1947. There, in the final seconds of a game against the Raiders, the Italian Army witnessed Harris’ career-defining play: an unintentional, game-winning catch that became known as the Immaculate Reception. By then, the Army had recruited many new members, including Frank Sinatra, who was formally inducted during a team practice in Palm Springs, CA.

Harris retired in 1985 with 4 Super Bowls under his belt and the third-highest career rushing yards in pro football history. He was a pillar of the Pittsburgh community throughout his life, and frequently stopped by Al Vento’s restaurant, Vento’s Pizza, to keep in touch with the Italian Army’s 4-star general. He passed away in December 2022, days before his jersey – No. 32 – was retired on the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception. Help us celebrate Franco’s legendary career, and the legacy of Franco’s Italian Army, with this month’s graphic tee.