Former Denver Broncos All-Pro Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. told a Denver newspaper that he has retired from the National Football League. Harris did not play last year, his last full season in the NFL was 2022 when he played for the New Orleans Saints.
“I just waited a year and I stayed in shape, but I realized that everybody was pretty much moving on with the younger players, the younger wave,” Harris told the Denver Gazette in an article posted on Tuesday. “So I thought it would be great to just call it an end.” Harris played with Aqib Talib and Champ Bailey when he made four Pro Bowl teams over five seasons.
Undrafted Corner Proved to be a Huge Steal for the Broncos
Harris was an undrafted free-agent signed by Denver in 2011 from the University of Kansas. He played nine seasons with the Broncos. Harris, now 34-years-old said he waited last season for a call from an NFL team but that call never came. Harris went unsigned last off-season and did not play in 2023-24.
Harris was part of the Broncos ‘No-Fly-Zone’ defense of the mid-2010s. That Broncos’ defense was tops in the NFL in total yards and passing yards allowed per game. Harris won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning at the end of the 2015 season. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.
Harris is one of the league’s most successful undrafted players. He finished his career with 621 combined tackles, 97 passes defended, 25 tackles for a loss, 22 interceptions, six sacks, four fumble recoveries and four touchdowns over 172 games.
Harris Credits Hard Work for His Success
Harris made four Pro Bowl teams and a first-team All-Pro selection in 2016 in his nine years with the Broncos. He left to play with the Broncos arch-rival the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. Harris signed a free-agent, two-year deal worth $20 million in Los Angeles. He played one more season with the New Orleans Saints in 2022 before retiring this week.
“I was able to accomplish pretty much everything,” Harris said. “The only award I didn’t win was Defensive Player of the Year. Getting All-Decade was the top thing. I feel definitely blessed, especially coming in as undrafted. I pretty much had to fight through all my career and being able to overcome that, that’s one thing I’m definitely happy for.”
He says he isn’t interested in spending time sitting by the phone this season. His remarkable career and that Super Bowl ring are enough for him. Harris says he is ready to begin the next chapter of his life.
Harris Had a Very Successful College Career
Harris played at Kansas from 2007-10, where he played in 50 career games as a Jayhawk, totaling 290 tackles (198 solo) and three interceptions. According to the University Harris was a part of two bowl victories, the 2008 Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech and the 2008 Insight Bowl vs. Minnesota.
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Bradley Tachco is a career journalist. I spent 12+ years at CNN as a writer and producer. My sports: NHL, MLB, NFL. My goal: unique content. My teams are the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills (yes, I’m a masochist), and the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have been a Dodgers fan since I was old enough to think. I have gone through decades of despair with all three franchises. You can follow Bradley on X @p09691