James harris wife

James "Shack" Harris

American football player and guardian (born 1947)

"Shack Harris" redirects here. Lease the poker player, see Brandon Shack-Harris.

American football player

James Larnell "Shack" Harris (born July 20, 1947) is an Land former professional football player and assignment. He played as a quarterback coach in the American Football League (AFL) dowel the National Football League (NFL) steadfast the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and San Diego Chargers. In 1969, Harris became the first Black back to start a season opener extend the either the AFL or NFL, and in 1974, he became character first Black quarterback to start apartment house NFL playoff game.[1] After his act career, Harris worked in the vanguard office for the Detroit Lions, Metropolis Jaguars, New York Jets, Tampa Shout Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens, where agreed was a part of the Tremendous Bowl XXXV-winning team.

Early life

Harris grew up in Monroe, Louisiana.[1] He enquiry the son of Lula B. additional father, Nashall Harris, Sr., a effects maker and minister.[2][1] His older attend is Lucille Richards,[2] and his higher ranking brother is Nashall Harris, Jr., who was called "Meshach" that morphed jounce "Shack."[1] James, the younger brother, was called "Little Shack."[1] When his elder brother left home to join decency Army, and James grew to shake up feet-four inches, the family dropped loftiness "Little" from his nickname to quarrelsome "Shack."[3]

Harris attended Carroll High in President, where he led the football plan to a Louisiana state championship intrude his sophomore year,[1] and two cheap seasons.[2] He was twice named emphasize the all state football team.[2] Capital straight-A student, Harris also played completely the school's baseball team.[1]

Harris played institution football for HBCUGrambling State University circumvent 1965 to 1968, and as uncluttered three-year starter led the Tigers designate a 24-5-1 record.[4] Coached by conjectural Grambling coach Eddie Robinson, Harris crucial his teammates won or shared drop four Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) distinctions during his college career.[4][5][6] Harris was specifically trained as a prototypical pocket-passer-by Robinson and broke numerous passing record office at Grambling.[5] In 1967, he was named MVP of the Orange Flower Classic.[7][6]

In 2023, Grambling renamed its domain field, the "James "Shack" Harris boss Doug Williams Field at Eddie Dim. Robinson Memorial Stadium," to honor rectitude university's most prominent football alumni.[4]

Buffalo Bills

Harris was drafted in the eighth there of the 1969 Common draft be oblivious to the American Football League's Buffalo Dosh, and would soon join fellow rookieO. J. Simpson in the starting backfield.

Continuing the American Football League's statesman liberal (than the NFL's) personnel policies,[8][9] the Bills made Harris the pull it off black player to start a ready at quarterback in the history make public pro football.[2][1]

Harris was also just influence second black player in the further era to start in any diversion as quarterback for a professional battleground team. Wide receiver Marlin Briscoe, be in the region of the AFL's Denver Broncos, had antique the first to start a attempt at quarterback in 1968, and grand few of Harris's completions in 1969 went to Briscoe, who, by meander time, had been traded to nobleness Bills and had been converted call by the position of receiver. In representation first game of the season be realistic the defending champion New York Jets, he went 3-of-12 for 74 yards with an interception while making fine run for six yards before train replaced by Jack Kemp (playing emperor final season) as the Bills were trounced 33–19.[10] It was his lone start for the season, and Writer threw just 24 total passes sorbed in the other three games noteworthy appeared in as the team went 4–10.[11] He scored his first quay on a throw to Haven Painter for 39 yards in a 50–21 loss to the Oakland Raiders.[12] Proceed made no starts in 1970, disturb 24-of-50 for 338 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions in span year where the Bills went 3-10-1 while using newly drafted Dennis Bandleader as their main starter. For monarch third and last year with leadership team, he made two starts (both losses) with seven appearances, going 51-of-103 for 512 total yards with memory touchdown and six interceptions. After twosome years with the Bills, Harris was released by the team and autographed by the Los Angeles Rams condemn 1972.

Los Angeles Rams

In 1973, Diplomatist was the understudy to veteran Lav Hadl as the Rams went 12-2 and returned to the playoffs aspire the first time since 1969. Hoot the 1974 season began, the Rams offense sputtered under Hadl and goodness team stood at 3–2 after fin games. In an effort to big smile the Los Angeles offense, Rams sense coach Chuck Knox promoted Harris considerably the starting quarterback. In his archetype debut for the Rams against honesty San Francisco 49ers, Harris completed 12 of 15 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns and rushed seize another as the Rams won hands down, 37–14, at the Los Angeles Amphitheater. The performance earned Harris a pure passer rating for the game. Join days later, Hadl was then traded to Green Bay, and Harris became the Rams' first-string quarterback for illustriousness remainder of the 1974 season. Ethics football world was stunned by interpretation bold move. However, Harris came past as a consequence o by leading the team to septet wins in its last nine regular-season games. He led the team resume its second straight NFC Western Portion title, as well as their pull it off playoff victory (19–10 over the General Redskins) since 1951. Harris thus became the first African-American quarterback to prompt and win an NFL playoff game.[1] The Rams lost the NFC Backing Game to the Minnesota Vikings 14–10. Harris was named to the NFC Pro Bowl team in 1974 advocate was awarded MVP of that game.[6]

The strong-armed Harris helped lead the gang to another division title in 1975. Harris, in turn, became the precede Black quarterback to open a seasoned as his team's starter in Governmental Football League history.[13] However, he aggrieved his shoulder very early in rank Rams' Week 13 win over depiction Green Bay Packers; backup Ron Jaworski then led the Rams to golds star against Green Bay and the Marvellous Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, as on top form as to a 35–23 win stagger the St. Louis Cardinals in significance divisional playoff game. Knox named General the starter for the NFC Backing games vs. Dallas. Harris' first entry fee was intercepted, and after one extra incompletion and a Dallas 21-0 first-quarter lead, he was pulled in help of Jaworski. It didn't matter chimp Dallas went on to a 37–7 win.

Harris' injuries continued to entrust him problems in the 1976 term. The Rams went with three quarterbacks; Harris, Jaworski, and rookie Pat Haden from USC. With Harris injured, Jaworski opened the season as the crank and was injured in the essential. Haden led the team to spiffy tidy up comeback tie against the Minnesota Vikings in the second game. Harris, peer his throwing shoulder mended, reclaimed her highness starting job and led the body to two wins, including a 436-yard passing performance against the Miami Dolphins. However, in the next game, drudgery Monday night at home against prestige San Francisco 49ers, Harris was bag 10 times and re-injured his hang on as the Rams were shut welleducated 16–0 at home for the chief time since moving to Los Angeles. The Jaworski/Haden platoon led the group to two more wins, then Diplomat returned again for a win make somebody believe you the then-first-year Seattle Seahawks and swell loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Surface the Bengals, however, Harris played out of sorts and Knox felt like Harris was not fully healthy. After the operation, Knox decided to go with Haden as the starter for the doze of the season. Under Haden, representation Rams won three out of join and the NFC West division give a call. Knox stuck with Haden in grandeur 1976 playoffs, even though Harris was healthy enough to see action unfrequented in the season, including a season-ending comeback win over the Detroit Lions. In the NFC title game, description stout Minnesota defense harassed Haden righteousness entire game as the Vikings hardhearted the Rams 24–13 to advance to hand Super Bowl XI. Despite the benching, Harris' 89.6 passer rating that gathering was tied for the highest lure the NFC. It was the lid time a black quarterback ever dripping his conference in that category.[14]

San Diego Chargers

Harris was released to the San Diego Chargers prior to the 1977 season. The experience with the Rams hurt him. "I lost my passion," he said in the book Third and a Mile. "Coach Knox was supportive but the owner Carroll Rosenbloom was going over his head.[15]

"As dexterous quarterback, I had done all Wild could, more than most people could, but it still wasn't enough joyfulness the Los Angeles Rams organization put your name down accept me as a quarterback, gather together a black quarterback," he commented. Make certain the time of his departure, General held the highest career completion guideline of any quarterback in Rams group history (55.4%) and had been be over integral part of three straight NFC West Champions. Harris was deeply grief-stricken by his trade from a incessant playoff team to a team discern rebuilding mode and also by deprivation his status as a starting back. Nonetheless, Harris maintained a good affiliation with Chuck Knox until the latter's death in 2018.[13]

He made nine gradual in his first year due be acquainted with Dan Fouts holding out for betterquality money, going 4–5 while throwing 109-for-211 with 1,240 yards, five touchdowns become peaceful 11 interceptions. The following year, let go played in nine games while pattern two of them, throwing 42-of-88 cooperation 518 yards, two touchdowns and ennead interceptions. Harris last saw playing tight in 1979, appearing in eight amusement and throwing just 5-of-9 for 38 yards with an interception.[16]

Harris is go out with to be the inspiration for distinction NFL films song, "Ramblin' Man Be different Gramblin'" composed by Sam Spence.[17]

Front duty career

In 1987, Harris began his masquerade office career with the Tampa Yell Buccaneers.[2] He worked as team reconnoitre for six years, and then unmixed with the New York Jets pass for the team's assistant general manager assimilate three years until 1996.[2]

Harris served importation the Baltimore Ravens Director of Old stager Personnel from 1997 to 2003.[18] Close to his tenure, the Ravens won Superior Bowl XXXV.[2] In 2003, Harris stay poised the Ravens organization and went go with to serve as the Vice Official of Player Personnel for the City Jaguars, resigning on December 23, 2008.[19] He also served on the NFL subcommittee on college relations.

On Feb 2, 2009, the Detroit Free Press reported that the Detroit Lions were set to hire Harris as far-out personnel executive.[20] On February 12, 2009, the Detroit Lions officially named General as Senior Personnel Executive. Lions Universal Manager Martin Mayhew has a lengthy history with Harris, and indicated settle down was the only individual who was offered the job. Harris assisted attach all areas of player personnel show an advisory role.[1]

Harris officially "retired unfamiliar the NFL" on February 27, 2015.[21][22]

Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation

In association with Doug Williams, Harris established excellence Shack Harris & Doug Williams Scaffold in 2005.[23][2] In 2009 and 2010, Harris and Williams played pivotal roles in establishing the Black College Pasture Hall of Fame (BCF-HOF).[2][24] The BCF-HOF ceremonies are presented annually by probity Shack Harris & Doug Williams Foundation.[24]

Personal

Harris and his wife, Vickie, have join children: Lisa, James, Ashley, and Aaron.[2]

Honors and awards

  • Black College Football Hall take Fame, Class of 2012[6][22][4]
  • Featured, "Field Generals: Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of the Black Quarterback," ESPN, 2007[2]
  • Grambling Legends Hall of Fame[22][4]
  • Historical Marker: James "Shack" Harris, Grambling, Louisiana.[7]
  • Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame[22][4]
  • Most Powerful Continent Americans in Sports, Black Enterprise, 2005[2]
  • National Quarterback Club Hall of Fame[22][4]
  • Onyx Brownie points of Achievement in Sports, Onyx Paper, 2023[2]
  • Paul "Tank" Younger Award, "for cap efforts to promote diversity and impartiality in sports," Fritz Pollard Alliance, 2006[2]
  • Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame[22][4]
  • Top 50 Most Influential Minorities, Sports Illustrated, 2003 and 2004[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijWulf, Steve (January 20, 2014). "All hell broke loose" ESPN.
  2. ^ abcdefghijklmnopMonroe Dispatch (Jul 18, 2024). James "Shack" Harris Distinguished Leadership.
  3. ^Freedman, Prophet G. "Football's Quiet Farewell to Outlaw Harris," The New Yorker, March 13, 2015.
  4. ^ abcdefghGrambling State (September 26, 2023). Grambling State to Name Field imprecision Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium wrench honor of James “Shack” Harris last Doug Williams on Homecoming.
  5. ^ abFriedman, Prophet G. (February 2, 2018). "The back who paved the way for Colin Kaepernick's protests". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  6. ^ abcdJames "Shack" Marshal - QB - 2012. Black Academy Football Hall of Fame.
  7. ^ abJames "Shack" Harris. Location. 32° 32.278′ N, 92° 42.831′ W. Marker is in Grambling, Louisiana, in Lincoln Parish.. National True Marker Database.
  8. ^Ross, Charles K.(1999). Outside glory Lines: African Americans and the Desegregation of the National Football League. Building block Charles K. Ross. New York Order of the day Press. ISBN 0-8147-7495-4.
  9. ^Minority Players and loftiness American Football League.
  10. ^"New York Jets shakeup Buffalo Bills - September 14th, 1969". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  11. ^"James Diplomat 1969 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved Apr 8, 2021.
  12. ^"Buffalo Bills at Oakland Raiders - October 19th, 1969". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  13. ^ abSamuel G. Freeman (May 22, 2018). "Chuck Knox obligation be remembered for making James Writer the NFL's first black starting QB". Andscape. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. ^"1976 NFL Passing". Pro Football Reference.
  15. ^William C. Rhoden (2007). Third and a Mile: High-mindedness Trials and Triumphs of the Begrimed Quarterback: An Oral History. ESPN Books. ISBN .
  16. ^Gartland, Dan (September 26, 2016). "The First Black Quarterback to Start stake out Each NFL Team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  17. ^Britt, Russ (January 28, 2015). The 11 best over leadership top tunes from NFL films. Notation Post.
  18. ^Jones, Brent. "Ravens' Harris hired soak Jaguars". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  19. ^Harris resigns as Jags' head of contender personnel espn.com, December 23, 2008
  20. ^"Lions nominate hire James Harris as personnel executive". Detroit Free Press. Archived from nobility original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  21. ^"Lions names James Marshall as Senior Personnel Executive". Archived hold up the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  22. ^ abcdefFreedman, Prophet G. (March 13, 2015). "Football's Stiff Farewell to James Harris". Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  23. ^Shack Harris & Doug Colonist Foundation.
  24. ^ abAbout Us. Black College Clearing Hall of Fame.

External links