Al Harris

Team Number:	31
Birth Date:	12/31/1969
Height:	6'1"
Weight:	188lbs.
Position:	Cornerback

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Al Harris was acquired by the Green Bay Packers in a 2003 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a second round draft pick in the 2004 draft. Harris had played for the Eagles for four seasons, after being waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1997 draft by the Buccaneers with the 189th pick overall. Harris has distinguished himself as one of the league’s top corners and is an integral part of the Green Bay Packers’ defense. When playing alongside teammate Charles Woodson, the two represent arguably the toughest combination of cover-men in the NFC.

Harris joined the Packers in 2003 and immediately assumed duties as the starting right corner. He started every game of the season and made several big plays that proved to be turning points in the Packers’ bid for the playoffs. He finished the regular season with three interceptions and one forced fumble. Any grumbling from Packers fans that Harris was only an average corner was disposed off after a memorable play made in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks, led by former Packer coach Mike Holmgren, entered Lambeau Field the favorites in the match-up. After finishing regulation tied 27-27, the team captains gathered at midfield for the overtime coin toss. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, after winning the flip and not realizing that a microphone was amplifying his comments, stated, “We’ll take the ball, and we’re gonna score.” The Seahawks received the overtime kick off and failed to get a first down. After a similar three and out possession by the Packers, the Seahawks received the ball again. Facing pressure, Hasselbeck attempted to throw a hitch to receiver Alex Bannister along the left sideline. Al Harris read the pattern perfectly, jumped in front of Bannister, intercepted the ball, and returned it 52 yards for the touchdown and playoff victory. In doing so, Harris became the first player to end an overtime playoff game on a defensive touchdown in NFL history. Replays of Hasselbeck’s coin toss comment and Harris’ touchdown dominated the airwaves for the following week.

While this play alone would have sufficiently cemented Harris’ legacy as a hero of the Frozen Tundra, he followed his performance in 2003 with a stellar 2004 season. Again starting every game, he allowed only one touchdown in coverage. He surpassed Doug Evans Packers record of 27 passes defended by notching 28 in 2004, again making his way into the record books. In 2005, he led the Packers defense to a #1 ranking in pass defense in the NFL. Harris was named a Pro-Bowl alternate in 2006 after another excellent season. Amazingly for a cornerback, Harris has played in 154 straight games and consistently plays the highest number of snaps as anyone on the defensive unit.

Harris attended college at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He earned All-Lone Star Conference honors in 1996 and majored in kinesiology. Harris, whose first name is Alshinard, has two boys, ages 10 and 1, and enjoys golfing and fishing. A resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, Harris sponsors a youth football team there and engages in a number of charitable activities, including sponsoring the 4-Ball Match Play Golf Challenge in 2005, which raised money for cystic fibrosis research.

Al Harris had a solid season for 2007. His 37 tackles, with 33 being solo, showed that Al Harris wasn't afraid to mix it up. He intercepted 2 passes late in the season agaist Dallas and Oakland. He managed seven solo tackles in the game against the high-flying Chargers. Most notable was Harris' play against the Seattle Seahawks during the post season. Harris had glove-like coverage against wide receivers throughout the entire game. This was followed up by a frustrating game against Burris during the NFC championship game. Harris took some time away from the Packers to reflect on a spectacular season.

During the 2008 season, Harris was a valuable veteran for the team, starting 12 games and was even a Pro Bowl alternate and later, player. Though he encountered a spleen injury early in the season forcing him to take medical leave, he returned to participate in just shy of 70% of the defensive plays regardless of his four game absence. He put in 21 solo tackles this season and played hard for the Packers.