Demetrius Harris

Demetrius Harris (born July 29, 1991) is an American football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college basketball at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, which has no college football program. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Demetrius Harris
Harris with the Kansas City Chiefs
No. 86 – Chicago Bears
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-29) July 29, 1991
Carrollton, Texas
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school:Jacksonville
(Jacksonville, Arkansas)
College:Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Undrafted:2013
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2019
Receptions:72
Receiving yards:754
Total touchdowns:9
Player stats at NFL.com

College career

After a standout high school career at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Arkansas, where he made All-State in both football and basketball, Harris originally signed with Arkansas State to play football, but, after failing to qualify academically, he decided to switch to basketball instead. Attending Mineral Area College, Harris played basketball for two seasons, before transferring to Milwaukee for his final two eligible seasons.

After playing off the bench his junior year, Harris was a starter his senior year, starting in 28 of 32 games. Despite the Panthers having a lowly 8-24 record, Harris finished 9th in the Horizon League in field goal shooting (46.9%) and led the Panthers in rebounds. After the conclusion of the basketball season, even though he had not played organized football since high school, NFL scouts showed interest in Harris playing football again, citing his size (6'7", 230 lb.) as ideal for the tight end position. Among the teams that showed interest in Harris included the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Dallas Cowboys.[1] To show off his skills for scouts, he held a workout with the Milwaukee Panthers football club team, otherwise known as MPFC.

Professional career

Kansas City Chiefs

2013–2015 seasons

Harris was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs after going undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft.[2][3]

After spending his 2013 season on the Chiefs' practice squad, Harris made the official roster in 2014, though his rookie season was cut short by a broken foot, ending his season after eight games.

In the 2015 season, Harris caught seven passes for 74 yards as a backup tight end, mainly used for blocking. Harris caught his first NFL touchdown pass, a 15-yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith, on the final game of the regular season, against the Oakland Raiders. On January 8, 2016, Harris signed a 3-year $6.3 million contract extension.[4]

2016 season

In the 2016 season, on Christmas Day, against the Denver Broncos, Harris caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Dontari Poe, who became the largest player in NFL history to throw a touchdown, in the fourth quarter.[5]

2017 season

In the 2017 season opening 42–27 victory against the New England Patriots, Harris caught the first receiving touchdown of the NFL season with a seven-yard reception from quarterback Alex Smith in the first quarter.[6]

2018 season

On May 22, 2018, Harris was suspended the first game of the 2018 season after pleading guilty to a marijuana possession misdemeanor in March 2017.[7]

Cleveland Browns

On March 14, 2019, Harris signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.[8]

Harris was released by the Browns on February 17, 2020.[9]

Chicago Bears

On February 19, 2020, Harris was signed by the Chicago Bears.[10]

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References
  1. McGinn, Bob (April 13, 2013). "UW-Milwaukee's Demetrius Harris trading basketball for football pads". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  2. "Chiefs' Demetrius Harris could be a slam-dunk at tight end". KansasCity.com. August 20, 2014.
  3. "Tight end Demetrius Harris confident he can catch on with the Chiefs". KansasCity.com. July 27, 2014.
  4. "Demetrius Harris, Chiefs agree on three-year deal". NFL.com. January 8, 2016.
  5. "Chiefs rout Broncos 33-10 to keep AFC West title hopes alive" Fox 4 Kansas City. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  6. "Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots - September 7th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  7. Alper, Josh (May 22, 2018). "Demetrius Harris suspended one game". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  8. Gribble, Andrew (March 14, 2019). "Browns sign versatile TE Demetrius Harris". ClevelandBrowns.com.
  9. "Browns release 4 players". ClevelandBrowns.com. February 17, 2020.
  10. Williams, Charean (February 19, 2020). "Bears sign former Browns tight end Demetrius Harris". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
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