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No plans to remove ‘Immaculate Reception’ statue from airport

Tom Fontaine
By Tom Fontaine
1 Min Read Nov. 18, 2011 | 14 years Ago
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It appears Franco Harris -- rather, his statue -- always will have a place at Pittsburgh International Airport.

The life-sized statue of Harris making the 'Immaculate Reception' isn`t going anywhere, airport spokesman Jeff Martinelli said. It stands next to a George Washington statue near escalators in the airport`s Airside Terminal.

'It is there to recognize a great moment in Pittsburgh sport history. We have no plans to move it,' Martinelli said, adding the airport hasn`t received complaints.

Harris has come under widespread criticism for support of fired Penn State football coach Joe Paterno in the wake of a child sex abuse charges against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Harris temporarily stepped down as board chairman of The Pittsburgh Promise scholarship late Thursday, and he and The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in North Strabane severed ties earlier this week. Harris had served as a spokesman for the casino.

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About the Writers

Tom Fontaine is a Tribune-Review staff reporter. You can contact Tom at 412-320-7847, tfontaine@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

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