Dana Dokmanovich: Wife of Franco Harris, Renowned for ‘The Immaculate Reception’, Hall of Famer Who Died at 72
Franco Harris is one of the legends of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he passed away in 2022. Yet, his memory lives through his widow and long-time partner, Dana Dokmanovich.
Harris’ fame lasted for 12 years until he retired in 1984, and his larger-than-life career was nothing like his private life. Little is known about his family, but we’ll try to shed some light on his relationship with the woman who stood by him through thick and thin.
Who Is Dana Dokmanovich?
Dana Dokmanovich met Franco Harris while they attended Penn State University in the late 1960s. There’s no accurate information regarding how they met, but they probably dated for a while before finally getting married.
During this time, Harris was playing college football, and after a short while, he was drafted by the Steelers, when he was selected as the 13th overall in the first round of the 1972 NFL Draft.
Throughout his career, Harris was a crucial member of his team, where he played as a running back and won four Superbowl Championships. During this period, his wife Dana had her only son, Franco “Dok” Harris.
The couple raised their son, Dok, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but he wasn’t interested in following in his dad’s footsteps. Dok is an attorney and ran as a third-party candidate in the 2009 Pittsburgh mayoral election, winning 25% of the votes.
What Does Dana Dokmanovich Do?
We don’t know much about Dana and Franco’s marriage. Even when he passed away suddenly at the age of 72, she didn’t post a public statement on her social media profiles. Her son, Dok, shared the news and explained that his dad passed away while he was asleep.
Harris used to post regularly on his Instagram account, but most of his posts were related to football, events, and the celebrities he met. He was rarely photographed with his wife and only son.
After quitting football, Harris wanted to make use of his degree in Food Service and Administration. He cooperated with his Penn State former teammate, Lydell Mitchell, and founded Super Bakery. This store produced nutrition-rich food for schoolchildren and became a hit during the 1990s.
Some sources claim that his wife, Dana, helped him with his business. She also supported him while he bought the Parks Sausage Company in Baltimore with Mitchell, but the company was later sold.
The Super Bakery website states that Dok continues to enrich his father’s legacy by producing and selling natural food that contains no preservatives and is fortified with vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Dana probably ensures the business is going well and supports her son with his political ambition.
FQAs
What was Franco Harris famous for in his NFL career?
Franco Harris was famous for “the Immaculate Reception,” considered the NFL’s greatest play, and winning four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
How many times did Franco Harris make it to the Pro Bowl, and what other honors did he achieve?
Franco Harris made nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 1972-80, was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1972, and was named to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team.
How did Dana Dokmanovich meet Franco Harris?
They met at Penn State University in the late 1960s.
What business did Franco Harris start after retiring from football?
Franco Harris co-founded Super Bakery, producing nutritious food for schoolchildren.
Who is Franco “Dok” Harris?
He is the son of Dana Dokmanovich and Franco Harris, an attorney who ran for mayor of Pittsburgh in 2009.
Wrap Up
Dana Dokmanovich is the wife of the late running back of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Franco Harris. There’s no information regarding her marriage, but we know that the couple married right before Harris was drafted by the Steelers in 1972.
She has one son, who works in politics, and we don’t know anything about her personal life. But we know that Harris wouldn’t have made it without the support of his wife of 50 years.
