James "Shack" Harris Distinguished Leadership

James "Shack" Harris is a native of Monroe, LA. His parents were the late Reverend and Mrs. Nashall (Lula B) Harris Sr. Prior to being drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in 1969, Harris played under one of college football's most legendary coaches, Eddie Robinson, at Grambling State University. During each of his four seasons (1964-1968), the Grambling Tigers won or shared the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title. Harris was named MVP of the 1967 Orange Blossom Classic and earned the Pittsburgh Courier Player of the Year title in 1968.

As a legendary athlete and quarterback at Carroll High School in Monroe, LA, Harris received two-time All-State Louisiana football honors, leading Carroll to two unbeaten seasons and a state title. Harris' older sister, Lucille Richards, played a pivotal role in his legendary career. Harris and his wife, Vickie, are proud parents of four children, Lisa, James, Ashley, and Aaron.

James Harris began his front office career in 1987 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a scout, a position he held for six years (1987-1992). He later moved to the New York Jets and served as the team's assistant general manager, 1993-1996. In 1997, Harris was appointed the director of pro personnel for the Baltimore Ravens, where he remained until 2002, earning a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV.

In 2003, the Jacksonville Jaguars named Harris vice president of player personnel. He joined the Detroit Lions in 2009 as senior personnel executive. Harris was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the eighth round of the 1969 NFL Draft, one of the few Black quarterbacks drafted at that time. He played for the Bills 1969-1971, becoming the first Black quarterback in NFL history to start a season opener.

Harris continued his playing career with the Los Angeles Rams 1973-1976, where he was named NFL Pro Bowl MVP in 1975. In 1976, Harris led the NFC with an 89.8% passer rating, including a 436-yard outing against the Miami Dolphins. He concluded his playing career with the San Diego Chargers, 1977-1981.

Off the field, Harris has made significant community impact through the Shack Harris/Doug Williams Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth. Founded in 2005 with fellow NFL quarterback Doug Williams, the foundation provides grants for after-school initiatives, leadership development, mentoring programs, and minority higher education assistance. In 2010, Harris and Doug Williams played integral roles in establishing the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Harris' contributions to sports and community have been recognized by various organizations. He was named one of the top 50 most influential minorities in sports by Sports Illustrated in 2003 and 2004, and in 2005, he was recognized as one of the most powerful African Americans in sports by Black Enterprise. In March 2006, Harris received the Fritz Pollard Alliance's Paul "Tank" Younger Award for his efforts to promote diversity and equity in sports. In February 2007, William Rhoden featured Harris in ESPN's "Field Generals: Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of the Black Quarterback."

In 2023, Harris was honored with the Onyx Awards of Achievement in Sports by Onyx Magazine.

Photo: James "Shack" Harris and his big sister, Lucille Richards