Walt Harris (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=Walt Harris
currentteam=San Francisco 49ers
currentnumber=27
currentposition=Cornerback
birthdate=birth date and age|1974|8|10
birthplace=LaGrange, Georgia
heightft=5
heightin=11
weight=199
debutyear=1996
debutteam=Chicago Bears
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (2006)
* 1x All-Pro selection (2006)
college=Mississippi State
draftyear=1996
draftround=1
draftpick=13
pastteams=
* Chicago Bears (1996-2001)
* Indianapolis Colts (2002-2003)
* Washington Redskins (2004-2005)
* San Francisco 49ers (2006-present)
nfl=HAR550409

Walter Lee Harris (born August 10, 1974 in LaGrange, Georgia) is currently an American football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers. He went to Mississippi State University and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1st 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.

Harris signed with the 49ers in 2006, where he led the team with a career-high 8 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 10 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 seasonal record with six interceptions. Harris was a Associated Press and Coaches first-team All-SEC while starting every game at cornerback as junior. That season, he was ranked 3rd in SEC and 5th 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 Al-SEC honors in the final three seasons at Mississippi State. As a four-year letterman, he holds the Mississippi State University interception record with 17.

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 54 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.

an Francisco 49ers

Harris was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent on March 15, 2006 as a free agent. In his debut season with the 49ers, he made 60 tackles and a career high eight interceptions which earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Last season, he made 58 tackles and four interceptions. [{http://www.nfl.com/players/waltharris/profile?id=HAR550409} Stats courtesy of NFL.com]

Personal

Lee Harris attended LaGrange High School and was All-America honorable mention by "USA Today". His team compiled 34-6 record in 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 three children: Courtney, London and Summer.

References

External links

* [http://www.49ers.com/team/roster_detail.php?PRKey=18 San Francisco 49ers bio]
* [http://www.cnnsi.com/football/nfl/players/3523/ Player Profile]