John Harris (safety)
Encyclopedia
John Edward Harris is a former American football
safety in the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks
in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Arizona State
.
Harris also played for the Minnesota Vikings
.
in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft
. He played eight years for the team from 1985 to 1978. During that time he started 111 of 119 games and had 41 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
. He played three years for the team from 1986 to 1988. During that time he started 37 of 41 games, recording nine interceptions and two sacks
.
After the 1988 season Harris retired after 11 years in the NFL. He finished his career starting 148 of 160 games, recording 50 interceptions, two touchdowns, a sack, and 12 fumble
recoveries.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
safety in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft
1978 NFL Draft
The 1978 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 2–3, 1978...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils football
The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference....
.
Harris also played for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
.
Seattle Seahawks
Harris was drafted by the Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft
1978 NFL Draft
The 1978 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 2–3, 1978...
. He played eight years for the team from 1985 to 1978. During that time he started 111 of 119 games and had 41 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings
In 1986 Harris was traded to the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. He played three years for the team from 1986 to 1988. During that time he started 37 of 41 games, recording nine interceptions and two sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
.
After the 1988 season Harris retired after 11 years in the NFL. He finished his career starting 148 of 160 games, recording 50 interceptions, two touchdowns, a sack, and 12 fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries.