Chris Harris Jr. spent nine of his 12 NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, becoming a star for the team, one who will be remembered dearly by the team's fans for many years to come. He hasn't worn a Broncos uniform in five years but on Tuesday, he officially retired from the NFL.
Chris Harris did not play in the NFL last season but it sounds as though he kept himself in shape just in case a team came calling. But he will be 35 years old in June and likely knew the odds of that were dwindling.
"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 said. "So I thought it would be great to just call it an end."
Harris went undrafted out of Kansas in 2011. But he quickly went for a player that got little attention to one that was clearly one of the best players on the field. He played for nine seasons in Denver before spending two with the Los Angeles Chargers and then the 2022 season as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
Under-recruited. Undrafted. Super Bowl champion.
— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKTUL) April 30, 2024
Congratulations to former Bixby Spartan Chris Harris, Jr. on his retirement from the NFL!
12 seasons. 4 Pro Bowls. All Decade team. Super Bowl 50 title. @BixbySpartanFB @ChrisHarrisJr #OKPreps pic.twitter.com/XMqavR4lgS
He should be remembered as one of the best defensive backs in Broncos history and though a spot in Canton may seem a bit far off, he should be a lock for the team's Ring of Fame.
Harris went to the Pro Bowl four times while helping the Broncos get to and win Super Bowl 50 as a key member of the feared "No Fly Zone". He finished his career with over 600 total tackles, 97 pass deflections and 22 interceptions.
That all helped him become part of the All-Decade Team for the 2010s. The other cornerbacks who earned that honor were Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson, putting Harris in great company.
