University of Memphis Athletics
Former Memphis Football Great Eric Harris Passed Away at Age 57
Feb 20, 2012 | Football
Feb. 20, 2012
Former Memphis Tiger defensive back Eric Harris, who was a four year starter and honors winner, suffered a heart attack and died in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday, February 19. Harris, who was 57 years of age, played for then Memphis State University from 1973-76.
A graduate of Hamilton High School in Memphis, Harris joined Fred Pancoast's Tigers in 1973 and immediately became a starter at cornerback. Quietly pressed into service for the season opener against Louisville, the newcomer responded with six tackles and his first career pass interception in helping MSU to a 16-10 victory. Two weeks later, Harris contributed a team leading 14 tackles in the Tigers' 17-13 win over Ole Miss. He completed his rookie season with 62 tackles, four pass interceptions and eight pass breakups. He was named to the 1973 All-South Independent team, marking the first of four times he would be selected.
Harris would continue to start for Memphis State over the next three seasons. By his senior season, the 6'4 speedster was one of the most respected defensive players in the country. He amassed 218 total tackles in his four-year career as a Tiger and was credited with 27 pass breakups and 13 pass interceptions. He remains ranked third in career interceptions for Memphis
A four-time All-South Independent pick, Harris was selected to play in the 1976 Blue-Gray All-Star Game and the 1977 Senior Bowl. He also landed on four All-America teams in 1976, including the Football Writer's All-America Team, Tom Harmon's Football Today All-America Team, the Associated Press All-America squad and the NCAA Consensus All-American Team.
Harris was taken in the fourth round of the 1977 NFL Draft but opted to play in the Canadian Football League for three seasons. When He returned to the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs in 1980, he became one of the first $1 million defensive backs in the league. After three years with the Chiefs, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams and played three seasons before retiring.
Funeral arrangements for Harris are incomplete at this time but will be released later this week.
