Tuff Harris
{{Short description|American football player (born 1983)}}{{Blp more sources|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Tuff Harris
| image =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number = 35, 26
| position = Safety
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|1|23}}
| birth_place = Crow Agency, Montana, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lbs = 198
| college = Montana
| undraftedyear = 2007
| pastteams =
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2007}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2008}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2008}})
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
- Edmonton Eskimos ({{CFL Year|2011}})
| status =
| highlights =
- 2× All-Big Sky (2005-2006)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 8
| pfr = HarrTu20
}}
Tuff Chester David Harris (born January 23, 1983) is a former American football safety.{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://tuffharris.com/about/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Tuff Harris}}{{Cite web |title=Tuff Harris, Safety |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/10790/tuff-harris |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=ESPN}}{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2007 |title=Dolphins activate Tuff Harris |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-dolphins-activate-t/174958544/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Billings Gazette |via=Newspapers.com}} He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Montana from 2003 to 2006.
Harris has also been a member of the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins.
Early life
Harris was born in Crow Agency, Montana.{{Cite web |title=Tuff Harris, Class of 2016 |url=https://www.mtfootballhof.com/tuff-harris |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Montana Football Hall of Fame}} He grew up in Lodge Grass, Montana, also known as the Valley of the Chiefs. He is a member of the Crow Nation.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}} His parents, Jerry and Melody Harris, excelled in track and helped to coach at Lodge Grass High School.{{Cite news |last=Letasky |first=John |date=May 21, 2000 |title=Harris wins 4 events – Lodge grass sophomore enjoys big day at divisional meet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-harris-wins-4-event/174958470/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Billings Gazette |via=Newspapers.com}} His sister Jerilyn Harris was a state champion in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes.
During his years at Lodge Grass High School, Harris played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. His mother was an assistant coach for the track and field team.
Harris's family moved to Colstrip after his sophomore year. After moving from Lodge Grass to Colstrip, Harris continued playing football, basketball, and track for the Colstrip Colts. In 2001, Tuff set an all-class Montana high school state record in the 100-meter dash.
College career
After graduating in 2002, Harris went to school at the University of Montana and was a four-year starter at cornerback for the Grizzlies and set school and BigSky records as a punt returner (including longest return, most return yards in one game, and most yards in a season).
Professional career
=Miami Dolphins=
After going undrafted in the 2007 NFL draft, Harris was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent on May 3. He was waived during final cuts on September 1 and re-signed to the team's practice squad, where he remained until being promoted to the active roster on November 14. He made his NFL debut in the regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 30.
Harris was waived by the Dolphins the following offseason on April 24, 2008.
=New Orleans Saints=
The New Orleans Saints signed Harris on May 27, 2008. He was released by the team on July 30 due to ankle injuries.
=Tennessee Titans=
Harris was signed by the Tennessee Titans on August 19, 2008. He was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the team's practice squad on September 1. Harris was signed from the practice squad to the active roster on November 22 after cornerbacks Reynaldo Hill and Eric King were placed on injured reserve.
The Titans waived Harris on September 4, 2009.
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
Harris was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on September 7, 2009. He was signed to active roster on January 6, 2010. Pittsburgh waived Harris on August 8, 2010.
Personal life
Tuff is married to Mary (Hasselberg) Harris. Mary is from Staples, Minnesota. The two met while Mary was playing golf at the University of Montana and Tuff was on the football team. Tuff is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke Nation (Crow Tribe) and is also of Northern Cheyenne descent. He played with deering Junior high football he played with the Springfield family in Lodge Grass Montana.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://tuffharris.com Official website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Tuff}}
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football safeties
Category:Edmonton Elks players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:Montana Grizzlies football players
Category:Native American players of American football
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:People from Crow Agency, Montana
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Players of American football from Montana
Category:Tennessee Titans players