Athletes - Cliff Harris

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	Athletes - Cliff Harris

Cliff Harris (born November 12, 1948 in Fayetteville, Arkansas) was an American Football player who played Safety and for the National Football League Dallas Cowboys from 1970 to 1979.

Harris played football at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. A math major, he was a member of Rho Sigma Fraternity and selected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities his senior year (1970). He was named to the All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference football team twice and was co-captain of the Tigers his senior year.

Harris wasn't chosen in the 1970 NFL draft, but the Cowboys found him and invited him to training camp. He beat out Cowboys 3rd round draft choice Charlie Waters for the free safety position his rookie year. Military obligation caused him to miss the second half the season. He continued as starting Safety until his retirement following the 1979 season. During his career he was chosen for the Pro Bowl six consecutive times and was voted All Pro four times.

Nicknamed "Captain Crash" by his teammates for his reckless pursuit of ball carriers. Hall of Fame Safety Larry Wilson said of Harris, "I feel Harris is the finest free safety in the business today. He changed the way the position is being played. You see other teams modeling their free safeties around the way Harris plays the pass, and striking fear in everyone on the field because he hits so hard." He made 5 Superbowl appearances and was selected as All-Pro 6 times.

Cowboy fans were surprised when Harris announced his retirement following the 1979 season at the age of 31 to concentrate on his business ventures. He is in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame and Sports Illustrated writers named him their Dream Team Free Safety. In 2004 he was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was added to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2004.

He and teammate Charlie Waters wrote a book about their Cowboy memories called "Tales From the Dallas Cowboys."

Harris finished his 10 NFL seasons with 29 interceptions, which he returned for 281 yards and 1 touchdown, and 18 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 91 yards. He also gained 418 yards on punt returns and 1,622 yards returning kickoffs.

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