Ja’Khi Douglas

Ja’Khi Douglas's Biography

Harry Douglas IV, born on September 16, 1984, is a former professional football wide receiver, recognized for his accomplishments across a decade-long career in the National Football League (NFL). Currently, working as an NFL analyst for ESPN and host on ESPN Radio, Douglas has had an impressive journey through the world of professional sports.

Raised in Georgia, Douglas’ affinity for sports was evident in high school. At Jonesboro High School, he averaged impressive statistics in basketball and football, attracting scouts from far and wide. Despite excelling on both the court and the field, football was where he decided to focus his talent and energy. As a gridiron player, he logged 80 catches, 1,539 yards, and 14 touchdowns over a 3-year span in high school. These impressive figures caught the interest of multiple college recruiters, resulting in a difficult decision for Douglas. However, he ultimately selected the Louisville Cardinals and accepted their scholarship offer in 2003.

Over his years with the Cardinals, Douglas gradually found his footing. After redshirting his first year and spending it on the scout team, he became a crucial part of the special teams in his first year of active play, even scoring a touchdown in the 2004 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. His prowess as a receiver started to shine through following his sophomore year, when he took on a prominent role within the team due to player departures. By his junior year, he was one of the team’s star receivers, catching 10 passes for 165 yards in the 2007 Orange Bowl.

The 2008 NFL Draft saw Douglas being picked up by Atlanta Falcons in the third round. His rookie season with the Falcons set the stage for his impressive NFL career. Despite a knee injury sidelining him for the 2009 season, Douglas managed to haul in his first two career touchdowns in a matchup against the Carolina Panthers during his 2008 season. His performance earned him the title NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Douglas played for the Falcons until 2015, hauling in 85 receptions for 1,067 yards and 2 touchdowns during his peak year in 2013, before signing a three-year contract with the Tennessee Titans. His time with the Titans was marked by controversy during a 2016 game against the Denver Broncos, where Douglas’ tackle against Broncos cornerback, Chris Harris Jr., was criticized as “dirty” by players and journalists. However, no fine was imposed for the incident.

Following recurrent knee injuries, Douglas was placed on an injured reserve by the Titans in September 2017. Post-recovery, he returned to the field and completed two games of the season, concluding his 10-year-spanning NFL career.

Today, he channels his knowledge and passion for the sport into his work at ESPN, using his player insights to shed light on the intricacies of football for the viewers and listeners tuning into ESPN.

Being in the world of sports runs in the Douglas family. His brother, Toney Douglas, made a name for himself in the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing point guard for several teams including the Memphis Grizzlies. The Douglas brothers making marks in the NFL and NBA indicate the family’s passion and strength in professional sports.