Walt Harris (cornerback)

For the American football coach, see Walt Harris (coach).
Walt Harris

Walt Harris during 49ers training camp in 2007.
No. 27, 21
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: August 10, 1974
Place of birth: LaGrange, Georgia
Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight: 192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school: LaGrange (GA)
College: Mississippi State
NFL draft: 1996 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Stats at NFL.com

Walter Lee "Walt" Harris (born August 10, 1974) is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for thirteen seasons. He played college football for Mississippi State University and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round (13th overall) in the 1996 NFL Draft. He played for the Bears for six years and was then signed as a free agent by the Indianapolis Colts in 2002. He then signed with Washington Redskins in 2004. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006 where he earned his 1st trip to the Pro Bowl.

Harris signed with the 49ers in 2006, where he led the team with a career-high eight interceptions.

He was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Month in November 2006. Harris was also selected to represent the National Football Conference (NFC) in the 2007 Pro Bowl, in place of injured Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard.

College career

Harris emerged as starter at Mississippi State University as a freshman at cornerback/free safety and played in ten games, including starts in the final three games. As a sophomore, he earned All-SEC (second-team) honors and started every game. That season, he tied the school seasonal record with six interceptions. Harris was an Associated Press and Coaches First-team All-SEC while starting every game at cornerback as junior. That season, he was ranked third in SEC and fifth in nation with six interceptions, led the team with 12 passes defensed, and recovered two fumbles and blocked two kicks. As a senior, he had four interceptions and eight passes defensed, played in the Senior Bowl, and was selected First-team All-SEC. Harris earned All-SEC honors in the final three seasons at Mississippi State. As a four-year letterman, he shares the Mississippi State career interception record with Johnthan Banks at 16.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Harris was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round (13th overall) in the 1996 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Harris made 13 starts and recorded a career high 113 tackles along with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. The following season, he started in all 16 games for the first time in his career and finished the season with 95 tackles and five interceptions. By the time the 1998 season started, Harris was a firmly established member of the team and a consistent starter. From the 1998 season until the end of the 2000 season, he started every game. The 1998 season finished with 85 tackles and four interceptions. In 1999, his fourth for the Bears, Harris made 71 tackles and one interception. The 2000 season saw Harris make 58 tackles and two interceptions. In 2001, his last for the Chicago Bears, Harris made 50 tackles and one interception.

Indianapolis Colts

Harris was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on March 18, 2002 as an unrestricted free agent. In his first season with the Colts he started all 15 games and made 43 tackles and two interceptions. In his final year for the Colts, Harris made 55 tackles.

Washington Redskins

Harris was signed by the Washington Redskins as a free agent on March 18, 2004. In his first season with the Redskins, he played in 16 games recording 21 tackles and two interceptions. In 2005, his final year for the Redskins Harris finished the season with 57 tackles and one interception.

San Francisco 49ers

Harris was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent on March 15, 2006. In his debut season with the 49ers, he made 60 tackles, one sack, a career high eight interceptions, and a 42-yard interception for a touchdown. That earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

In the 2008 season, he recorded 49 tackles, one sack, and three interceptions (as of December 7, 2008).[1] Harris missed the entire 2009 football season after tearing his ACL in 49er organized team activities (OTAs).

NFL stats

Year Team Games Combined Tackles Tackles Assisted TAckles Sacks Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Fumble Return Yards Interceptions Interception Return Yards Yards per Interception Return Longest Interception Return Interceptions Returned for Touchdown Passes Defended
1996 CHI 15 95 81 14 0.0 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 9
1997 CHI 16 80 72 8 0.0 4 1 0 5 30 6 12 0 16
1998 CHI 14 68 63 5 0.0 1 1 0 4 41 10 26 1 16
1999 CHI 15 69 60 9 1.0 0 1 0 1 -1 -1 -1 0 13
2000 CHI 12 40 31 9 0.0 1 0 0 2 35 18 35 1 13
2001 CHI 15 50 48 2 0.0 1 2 0 1 45 45 39 1 9
2002 IND 15 43 34 9 0.0 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 17
2003 IND 16 54 35 19 0.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
2004 WSH 16 17 15 2 0.0 1 0 0 2 31 16 31 0 5
2005 WSH 13 57 49 8 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 10
2006 SF 15 63 52 11 1.0 4 2 0 8 84 11 42 1 20
2007 SF 15 58 47 11 0.0 1 0 0 4 42 11 23 0 13
2008 SF 16 54 44 10 1.0 0 0 0 3 25 8 24 0 13
Career 193 748 631 117 3.0 18 12 0 35 332 9 42 4 166

[2]

Personal

Harris attended LaGrange High School and was All-America honorable mention by USA Today. His team compiled a 34-6 record in his final three years. He also was a track hurdler. He teamed with Thomas Smith to organize ticket donation program called "Corner to Corner" in first season with the Bears that provides tickets for each home game to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. The program included an on-field visit before each game and visits by Harris and Smith to clubs throughout the season. He partnered with fellow members of Bears secondary and Meals on Wheels in 2000 to "Intercept Hunger" with meal donations being made based on participating players’ performances each game. Harris and his wife, Trina, have four children: Courtney, London, Summer and Brandon.

References

  1. ↑ {http://www.nfl.com/players/waltharris/profile?id=HAR550409} Stats courtesy of NFL.com
  2. ↑ "Walt Harris Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 22 May 2014.

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Rashaan Salaam		 Bears 1st round draft pick
1996 		Succeeded by
None (first round pick traded to Seattle for Rick Mirer)