Richard Harris (American football)

This article is about the NFL player and CFL coach. For the CFL player, see Dickie Harris.

Richard Harris

File:Richard Harris WPG Blue Bombers.jpg
Date of birth:	(1948-01-21)January 21, 1948
Place of birth:	Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
Date of death:	July 26, 2011(2011-07-26) (aged 63)
Place of death:	Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN
Career information
Position(s):	DE
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
College:	Grambling State
NFL Draft:	1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Drafted by:	Philadelphia Eagles
Organizations
As coach:
1989 1991–1996 2000 2001–2004 2005 2006–2010 2011	Eastside Express (HC) Puget Sound Jets (HC) Portland Prowlers (HC) BC Lions (DL coach) Ottawa Renegades (DL coach) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (DL coach) Winnipeg Blue Bombers* *Asst. HC/DL coach
As player:
1971–1973 1974–1975 1976–1977	Philadelphia Eagles Chicago Bears Seattle Seahawks
Career highlights and awards
Honors:	All-American (1970) All-Rookie (1971)
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Richard Drew Harris (January 21, 1948 – July 26, 2011) was an American football defensive end who played seven seasons in the National Football League. He was and All-American in 1970 for Grambling and was drafted in the first round (5th overall pick) of the 1971 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was named All-Rookie in 1971, playing defensive end. Harris spent seven seasons as a defensive end in the NFL, the first three with the Philadelphia Eagles, the next two with the Chicago Bears and the final two with the Seattle Seahawks.

Harris joined the coaching staff of the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2006 after spending time with both the BC Lions and Ottawa Renegades. On July 26, 2011, Harris suffered a fatal heart attack in his office at Canad Inns Stadium. Despite their coach's death, the Blue Bombers continued with their scheduled home game against the Lions two days later, winning 25-20. Prior to the game, both teams and the fans participated in an emotional tribute to Harris.