 Harris with theDenver Broncos in 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 25, 19 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Cornerback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1989-06-18)June 18, 1989 (age 36) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 199 lb (90 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Bixby (Bixby, Oklahoma) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Kansas (2007–2010) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2011: undrafted | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Christopher Harris Jr. (born June 18, 1989) is an American former professionalfootball player who was acornerback for 12 seasons in theNational Football League, primarily with theDenver Broncos. He playedcollege football for theKansas Jayhawks and was signed by the Broncos as anundrafted free agent in 2011.
In his first season, Harris was named to the All-Rookie Team. In 2015, Harris finished the season winningSuper Bowl 50 with the Broncos over theCarolina Panthers, a season during which he was again selected as an All-Pro and chosen for the Pro Bowl. He is known for his off the field charitable activities, and in 2012, he started the Chris Harris Jr. Foundation to support children in need.[1]
Harris was born inTulsa, Oklahoma and attended nearby Bixby High School inBixby, Oklahoma where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and track.[2][3] Harris was named All-State in basketball and football as defensive back senior year (2006) after helping the Spartans to the district title.[4]
Harris was an all-metro first-team selection after his junior and senior seasons. He earned all-state honorable mention honors as a junior. He collected 61 total tackles, four interceptions, and seven pass break-ups in 2006. Harris had 23 receptions for 839 yards during his senior campaign.[4]
Harris helped lead Bixby High School to second place in the 2005 state football championship, coached by Pat McGrew. Harris was a member of the academic state champions teams in 2005 and 2006. Harris was named a 2006 leader (top 50 students at Bixby) by the Bixby Optimist Club.[4]
Harris played football in college at the University of Kansas.[5] He received numerous accolades and produced numbers that set him apart as one of the most successful defensive players in the history of Kansas football.[4][6] By the end of his college career, Harris had placed himself among the most prolific tacklers in school history.[4] He joined as a member of theOmega Psi Phi fraternity while in college.[citation needed]
Harris was not invited to theNFL Scouting Combine. On March 16, 2011, he attended Kansas's pro day and performed all of the combine and positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Harris was projected to go undrafted in the2011 NFL draft. He was ranked the 30th best free safety prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[7]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 35+1⁄4 in (0.90 m) | 9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) | 4.48 s | 1.59 s | 2.63 s | 4.20 s | 7.01 s | 34.0 in (0.86 m) | 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) | 14 reps | |
| All values fromPro Day[8][9] | ||||||||||||
On July 27, 2011, theDenver Broncos signed Harris to a three-year, $1.39 million contract that included asigning bonus of $2,000.[10][11]
Throughout training camp, Harris competed for a roster spot againstPerrish Cox,Chevis Jackson,Darcel McBath,Kyle McCarthy, andSyd'Quan Thompson.[12][13] He made the final roster after surviving final roster cuts and was named the fourth cornerback on the depth chart behindChamp Bailey,Andre Goodman, andCassius Vaughn.[14]
He made his professional regular season debut in theDenver Broncos' season-opening 23–20 loss against theOakland Raiders.[15] The following week, he recorded two solo tackles during a 24–22 victory against theCincinnati Bengals.[16] Harris began receiving increased playing time after multiple injuries. In Week 4, Harris emerged as a possible future top cornerback prospect after replacing an ineffective Cassius Vaughn and making four combined tackles during a 49–23 loss at theGreen Bay Packers.[17] Vaughn and Champ Bailey both suffered hamstring injuries and Andre Goodman suffered a shoulder injury that required stitches.[18] On October 30, 2011, Harris earned his first career start after surpassing Vaughn and Goodman on the depth chart. He recorded nine combined tackles during the Broncos' 45–10 loss to theDetroit Lions.[19] The next week, he made his second consecutive start and recorded a season-high ten combined tackles and made his first career interception offCarson Palmer in a 38–24 victory at theOakland Raiders.[20] Harris finished his rookie season with a career-high 72 combined tackles (62 solo), six pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and four starts.[21][22] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[23]
The Denver Broncos finished 8–8, but managed to finish first in theAFC West. On January 8, 2012, he played in his first career playoff game and recorded five combined tackles in a 29–23 overtime victory over thePittsburgh Steelers in the AFCWild Card Round.[24] The following week, Harris started his first career playoff game and made eight combined tackles as the Broncos lost 45–10 to theNew England Patriots in the AFCDivisional Round.[25]
The Broncos signed free agentTracy Porter and hiredJack Del Rio as their new defensive coordinator.[26] Harris tied the Broncos’ single-season record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns and posted the fourth-most interception return yards (144) in team history in 2012.[citation needed] He ranked fifth in the NFL in receiving yards allowed (400) and tied for the ninth-fewest completions (35) allowed among players with at least 60 targets during the 2012 season.[citation needed]
On September 30, 2012, Harris recorded three solo tackles and made his first career sack onCarson Palmer during a 37–6 defeat over theOakland Raiders.[27] Prior to Week 6, Harris was named the starting outside cornerback, along withChamp Bailey, after Tracy Porter was inactive due to seizure-like symptoms.[28] On October 15, 2012, Harris made four solo tackles, two pass deflections, a touchdown, and interceptedSan Diego Chargers' quarterbackPhilip Rivers twice in a 35–24 victory. He intercepted a pass intended forEddie Royal and returned it 46-yards for his first career touchdown, sealing the victory for the Denver Broncos.[29] On December 16, 2012, Harris recorded a tackle, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Ravens' quarterbackJoe Flacco and returned it for a 98-yard touchdown during a 34–17 win at theBaltimore Ravens.[30] At the time, it was the longest interception returned for a touchdown in Broncos' history, although it has since been surpassed byAqib Talib’s 103-yard interception return for a touchdown against theDallas Cowboys in 2017 andPat Surtain II’s 100-yard pick six against theLas Vegas Raiders in 2024. On December 23, 2012, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles in the Broncos' 34–12 victory at theCleveland Browns.[31] He finished the2012 season with 61 combined tackles (51 solo), 12 pass deflections, three interceptions, 2.5 sacks, and two touchdowns in 15 games and 12 starts.[32]
The Denver Broncos finished atop the AFC West with a 13–3 record inPeyton Manning's first season with the team.[33] On January 12, 2013, Harris started and recorded three solo tackles and four pass deflections in the Broncos' 38–35 2OT loss to theBaltimore Ravens in theAFC Divisional Round.[34]
Harris returned from his stellar season to enter training camp behind newly acquired free agentDominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the depth chart. Head coach John Fox named him the third cornerback behind Champ Bailey and Rodgers-Cromartie to start the regular season.[35]
He started theDenver Broncos' season-opener againstBaltimore and recorded three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and interceptedJoe Flacco during their 49–27 victory onThursday Night Football.[36] The following week, he made six combined tackles, two pass deflections, and interceptedEli Manning after the ball deflected offTony Carter's foot during the Broncos' 41–23 victory at theNew York Giants.[37] On October 13, 2013, Harris recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles in a 35–19 victory against theJacksonville Jaguars.[38] He finished the2013 season with 65 combined tackles (58 solo), 14 pass deflections, and a career-high three interceptions in 16 games and 15 starts.[39]
The Denver Broncos finished first in the AFC West with 13–3 record.[40] On January 12, 2014, Harris recorded two solo tackles and deflected a pass during a 24–17 victory over theSan Diego Chargers in the AFCDivisional Round.[41] He left the game after suffering a torn ACL and missed the remainder of the playoffs.[42] After defeating theNew England Patriots in theAFC Championship, the Broncos went on toSuper Bowl XLVIII where they were defeated by theSeattle Seahawks 43–8.[43][44]
Harris underwent surgery to repair his partially torn ACL in February and was on schedule to return in July.[45] On May 7, 2014, the Denver Broncos placed a second round tender on Harris that also paid him $2.18 million for 2014.[46]
With Harris injured, the Broncos opted to draftBradley Roby in the first round (31st overall) of the2014 NFL draft.[47] They signed free agent and his former Kansas teammateAqib Talib and opted not to re-sign longtime veteranChamp Bailey.[48] Head coach John Fox named Harris and Talib the starting cornerbacks to begin the 2014 regular season against the Colts.[49] On December 7, 2014, Harris recorded a season-high tying five solo tackles, a pass deflection, a sack, and intercepted a pass attempt byKyle Orton in the Broncos' 24–17 win against theBuffalo Bills.[50] On December 12, 2014, the Denver Broncos signed Harris to a four-year, $42.5 million contract extension that includes $10.9 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10 million.[51] He finished the2014 season with 54 combined tackles (50 solo), 17 pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[52] He led the league in least passing yards allowed and did not give up a touchdown pass all season long, earning him a Pro Bowl selection and second-team AP All-Pro honors.[53][54][55]
TheDenver Broncos finished first in the AFC West with a 12–4 record, but lost 24–13 in the AFCDivisional Round to theIndianapolis Colts.[56][57][58] Harris was named to the Pro Bowl.[59]
Harris retained his spot as the starting left cornerback and Talib retained his spot as the starting right cornerback for the 2015 season under new defensive coordinatorWade Phillips.[60]
On October 4, 2015, Harris recorded a season-high eight combined tackles during a 23–20 win against theMinnesota Vikings.[61] The following week, Harris made his most notable play of the regular season, interceptingDerek Carr and returning it for a 75-yard touchdown which was the Broncos only touchdown in their 16–10 victory at theOakland Raiders.[62] Harris finished the regular season with 58 combined tackles (49 solo), six pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.[63]
After defeating thePittsburgh Steelers in the AFCDivisional Round and theNew England Patriots in theAFC Championship, the Denver Broncos went on to appear inSuper Bowl 50.[64][65] On February 7, 2016, Harris recorded five solo tackles and a sack as the Broncos defeated theCarolina Panthers 24–10 to win Super Bowl 50.[66][67] Harris didn't allow a touchdown reception in coverage from December 1, 2013, to December 15, 2015, a span that covered 35 games (including playoffs). The streak ended against the Steelers andAntonio Brown who was widely regarded as the best wide receiver in the league.[68] He received enough votes from fellow NFL players to rank 52nd on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[69] During the 2015 season, the Denver Broncos secondary gained the nickname the "No Fly Zone" due to their superior coverage ability.[70]
Harris continued to remain as the starting left cornerback through the 2016 season. He started theDenver Broncos' season-opening victory against theCarolina Panthers, oppositeAqib Talib, in a Super Bowl 50 rematch and recorded two solo tackles, three pass deflections, and interceptedCam Newton in Denver's 21–20 victory.[71] On October 24, 2016, Harris collected a season-high seven combined tackles during a 27–9 victory against theHouston Texans.[72] He finished the2016 season with 63 combined tackles (57 solo), 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 15 starts.[73]
For the first time in Harris's six-year career, the Broncos missed the playoffs with a 9–7 record.[74][75] Harris was voted to his third consecutive Pro Bowl after the 2016 season and was named First-teamAll-Pro.[76][77] He was ranked 63rd on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.[78]
New head coachVance Joseph retained all of the starters in the Denver Broncos' secondary in 2017. On September 17, 2017, Harris recorded a season-high six solo tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception off quarterbackDak Prescott during a 42–17 victory over theDallas Cowboys.[79] In Week 13, he made two combined tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass attempt byJay Cutler in Denver's 35–9 loss at theMiami Dolphins.[80] Harris finished the2017 season with 40 combined tackles (32 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[81] He was ranked 86th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2018.[82]
On March 8, 2018, the Broncos exercised Harris' 2018 option, which would allow him to earn $8.5 million for the year.[83]
In Week 7, against theArizona Cardinals, Harris had 53-yard pick-six in the 45–10 victory.[84] Harris started the first 12 games at left cornerback before suffering a broken fibula in Week 14.[85] He missed the next two games before being placed on injured reserve December 19, 2018.[86] He finished the 2018 season with one sack, 49 total tackles, three interceptions, and ten passes defended in 12 games and starts.[87] He was named to the Pro Bowl.[88]
Harris was retained as the Broncos’ starting left cornerback for the 2019 season under new head coachVic Fangio and defensive coordinatorEd Donatell. In Week 6 against theTennessee Titans, Harris recorded his first and only interception of the season offMarcus Mariota and forced a fumble in the 16–0 win.[89] He finished the 2019 season with 56 total tackles, one interception, six passes defended, and one forced fumble.[90] He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2010s.[91]
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On March 30, 2020, Harris signed a two-year, $20 million contract with theLos Angeles Chargers.[92][93] Harris was named the starting left cornerback oppositeCasey Hayward to begin the 2020 season. In Week 3, Harris suffered a foot injury and was placed on injured reserve on September 29, 2020.[94] He was activated on November 27, 2020.[95] In Week 15 against theLas Vegas Raiders, Harris recorded his first interception as a Charger off a pass thrown byMarcus Mariota and made a 51 yard return during the 30–27 overtime win.[96] In the 2020 season, Harris finished with .5 sacks, 37 total tackles, one interception, and two passes defended in nine games.[97]
In the 2021 season, Harris finished with 37 total tackles, one interception, and six passes defended in 14 games and 11 starts.[98]
On October 4, 2022, theNew Orleans Saints signed Harris to the practice squad.[99] He was elevated from the practice squad via a standard elevation on October 15. He played in the team's Week 7Thursday Night Football game against theArizona Cardinals.[100] He was signed to the active roster on October 29.[101] Harris finished the 2022 season with one sack, 29 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble in ten games and four starts.[102]
Harris became a free agent following the season, and stated that he would wait to sign a deal with the hopes of catching on with a Super Bowl contender. On his strategy, Harris said "I want to wait and see what team has a great chance to win a Super Bowl and then try to hop on with them."[103]
Harris announced his retirement on April 30, 2024, after no team was willing to sign him, stating "I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave, so I thought it would be great to just call it an end."[104]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 2011 | DEN | 16 | 4 | 72 | 62 | 10 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 | 6 |
| 2012 | DEN | 15 | 12 | 61 | 51 | 10 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 144 | 48.0 | 98 | 2 | 9 |
| 2013 | DEN | 16 | 15 | 65 | 58 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.3 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 2014 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 54 | 50 | 4 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 17.3 | 38 | 0 | 17 |
| 2015 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 58 | 49 | 9 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 94 | 47.0 | 74 | 1 | 6 |
| 2016 | DEN | 16 | 15 | 63 | 57 | 6 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 36 | 0 | 11 |
| 2017 | DEN | 16 | 15 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 36 | 18.0 | 23 | 0 | 7 |
| 2018 | DEN | 12 | 12 | 49 | 40 | 9 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 22.7 | 53 | 1 | 10 |
| 2019 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 56 | 44 | 12 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 | LAC | 9 | 9 | 37 | 25 | 12 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 51 | 51.0 | 51 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | LAC | 14 | 11 | 37 | 30 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2022 | NO | 10 | 4 | 29 | 26 | 3 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Career | 172 | 145 | 621 | 524 | 97 | 6.0 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 508 | 23.1 | 98 | 4 | 97 | |
In 2012, Harris married his college sweetheart, Leah, with whom he has five daughters.[105][106]
In 2013, Harris started the Chris Harris Jr. Foundation. The foundation's fundamental goal is to support what Harris refers to as 'underdogs' through various charitable activities. Harris holds an annual free football camp for kids called the 'Underdog Football Academy', has been a national spokesman against domestic violence through DVIS,[107] and his foundation has worked extensively withBig Brothers Big Sisters of America andThe Salvation Army.[108]
In addition to the foundation's work, Harris and his wife are involved withBig Brothers and Big Sisters.[109] Harris and his wife have a little brother and little sister that they personally mentor in addition to working with the organization in general.[citation needed]
In 2017, Harris participated inPETA's "Cold Dog Challenge," experiencing a night in the cold so as to encourage people to bring their pets inside.[110]
