Shelby Harris

BIOGRAPHY

Shelby Harris, an American professional football player, was born on August 11, 1991. Presently, he serves as a defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Before this, he had an impressive college football career at Illinois State and was picked during the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. He spent two seasons with the Raiders from 2014 to 2015 and then, he remained without a final roster in 2016.

In December 2016, Harris signed with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad, but was released about a month later in January 2017. Later in that month, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Denver Broncos and was with the Broncos for the next five seasons until 2021. In 2021, he also signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the Broncos. It was during his tenure with the Broncos when he saved a game with a late-game block of a field goal and recorded his first career interception.

In 2022, the Broncos traded Harris along with a number of other players and pick rights to the Seattle Seahawks for a high-profile exchange involving Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson. However, his stint with the Seahawks did not last long, and he was released in March 2023. On August 10, 2023, Harris joined the Cleveland Browns and played in 17 games with seven starts, and recorded 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five passes defensed in the 2023 season.

Although Harris shines in his present-day career with the Browns, his early career and college years highlighted exceptional skill and potential. Originally, Harris went to the University of Wisconsin to play for the Badgers. But after redshirting his freshman year, he transferred to Illinois State. In 2010, his playing prowess earned him a place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference all-newcomer team. Following that, in 2012, he started all thirteen games which lead the Redbirds to the FCS national quarterfinals. His performance led to his inclusion in the all-MVFC first team.

Off the field, Harris has displayed interests beyond football. On September 5, 2020, he was featured on WNYC’s podcast “Death, Sex and Money” with host Anna Sale. During the broadcast, Harris painted an honest picture of what it’s like to be an NFL player during the COVID-19 pandemic and voiced his experiences of being a Black man in America during the Black Lives Matter movement.

Enduring the highs and lows of a professional football career, Harris’s journey is one of resilience, skill and perseverance. From entering college football to getting picked by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft, from playing for the Broncos and winning games to facing release and later proving his mettle in the Browns, he remains an inspirational figure in world sports. As of March 2024, he has signed a one-year contract extension with the Browns, cementing his place in the team. His on-field dynamism and off-field authenticity continue to resonate with football fans worldwide.