Rod Harris

Rod Harris
Roderick World Harris (born November 14, 1966) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a member of the Sacramento Gold Miners, Shreveport Pirates, Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas A&M University.
Early years
Harris attended David W. Carter High School. He lettered in football, track, swimming and golf.
He accepted a football scholarship from Texas A&M University. As a sophomore in 1986, he became a starter at wide receiver, registering 21 receptions for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns.
As a junior in 1987, he returned punts for touchdowns in consecutive games, becoming the second player in school history, to have two punt returns for touchdowns in a season.
As a senior in 1988, he posted 37 receptions (led the team), 592 receiving yards (led the team) and one receiving touchdown (tied for the team lead).
He finished his college career with school records for punt returns (116), punt return yards (971), kickoff returns (59) and kickoff return yards (1,209).
Professional career
Houston Oilers
Harris was selected by the Houston Oilers in the 4th round (104th overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft. He was released before the start of the season on September 4.
New Orleans Saints
On September 6, 1989, he was signed to the New Orleans Saints' developmental squad. He was promoted to the active roster the week before the sixth game of the season.
He appeared in 11 games, while returning 27 punts for 196 yards and 19 kickoffs for 378 yards. He tied the franchise single-game record for punt returns in a game, with six against the Detroit Lions.
Dallas Cowboys
On February 28, 1990, the Dallas Cowboys signed Harris as a Plan B free agent. He reunited with special teams coordinator Joe Avezzano, who was his college offensive coordinator.
He appeared in 8 games, making 12 punt returns for 63 yards. He pulled a groin muscle in the eighth game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was released in November.
Philadelphia Eagles
On November 30, 1990, he was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles. He had 16 punt returns for 151 yards and one kickoff return for 44 yards.
In 1991, he appeared in 16 games, while making 2 receptions for 28 yards, 53 punt returns for 416 yards and 28 kickoff returns for 473 yards.
Sacramento Gold Miners
In 1993, he formed a potent combination with quarterback David Archer, posting 90 receptions for 1,379 yards, 7 receiving touchdowns and one punt return for 24 yards.
In 1994, he had 86 receptions for 1,280 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns, 89 punt returns for 869 yards, one touchdown return and one kickoff return for 31 yards.
Shreveport Pirates
In 1995, he had 8 receptions for 95 yards, 11 punt returns for 81 yards and one kickoff return for 31 yards.
Sasakatchewan Roughriders
In 1996, he had 58 receptions for 655 yards, 41 punt returns for 595 yards, one touchdown return and 21 kickoff returns and 417 yards.
In 1997, he had 47 receptions for 703 yards and 3 touchdowns, 27 punt returns for 215 yards, one touchdown return and 18 kickoff returns for 311 yards.
BC Lions
In 1998, he had 48 receptions for 799 yards (16.6-yard avg.) and 5 touchdowns, 38 punt returns for 417 yards and 40 kickoff returns for 914 yards.
In 1999, he had 30 receptions for 502 yards (16.7-yard avg.) and 3 touchdowns, 6 punt returns for 16 yards and 18 kickoff returns for 300 yards.
Personal life
His son De'Vante Harris played cornerback for the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
References
1966 births
Living people
American football wide receivers
BC Lions players
Canadian football wide receivers
Dallas Cowboys players
New Orleans Saints players
Philadelphia Eagles players
Players of American football from Dallas
Players of Canadian football from Dallas
Sacramento Gold Miners players
Saskatchewan Roughriders players
Shreveport Pirates players
Texas A&M Aggies football players