| No. 84, 77 | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Harris-Richard-1974.jpg) Richard Harris as he appeared on his 1974 Topps football card | |
| Date of birth | January 21, 1948 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Date of death | July 26, 2011 (aged 63) |
| Place of death | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | DE |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| US college | Grambling State |
| NFL draft | 1971 / round: 1 / pick: 5 |
| Drafted by | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1989 | Eastside Express (HC) |
| 1991–1996 | Puget Sound Jets (HC) |
| 2000 | Portland Prowlers (HC) |
| 2001–2004 | BC Lions (DL coach) |
| 2005 | Ottawa Renegades (DL coach) |
| 2006–2010 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (DL coach) |
| 2011 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Asst. HC/DL coach) |
| As player | |
| 1971–1973 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1974–1975 | Chicago Bears |
| 1976–1977 | Seattle Seahawks |
| Honors | All-American (1970) All-Rookie (1971) |
| Career stats | |
| |
Richard Drew Harris (January 21, 1948 – July 26, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was an All-American in 1970 for Grambling and was selected in the first round (5th overall pick) of the 1971 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, the first defensive player chosen. Harris was named to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1971 and was widely regarded as one of the fastest defensive linemen in professional football before being hobbled by knee injuries.
Harris spent seven seasons as a lineman in the NFL – three with the Philadelphia Eagles, two more with the Chicago Bears, and a final two years with the Seattle Seahawks. After his retirement from the NFL, Harris began a second career as a coach, leading several indoor football teams as head coach before working as a defensive assistant for the BC Lions, Ottawa Renegades, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).