R.J. Harris

Ronnie Harris, Jr. (born June 3, 1992)[1] is a former professional gridiron football wide receiver. He attended the University of New Hampshire where he played for the New Hampshire Wildcats from 2010 to 2014.[2]

R.J. Harris
refer to caption
Harris before a Redblacks game in 2019.
No. 84
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1992-06-03) June 3, 1992
Würzburg, Germany
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Gambrills (MD) Arundel
College:New Hampshire
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Retired
CFL status:American
Career CFL statistics
Receptions:104
Receiving yards:1,406
Receiving touchdowns:4
Player stats at CFL.ca

Professional career

National Football League

After going un-drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft he signed with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL), but was released before the 2015 season began and joined the team's practice roster.[3] After being released from the Saints' practice roster in October 2015, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons in December to their practice roster where he remained for the 2015 season.[3] During the following off-season, he re-signed with the Saints for the 2016 season, but was again released following the pre-season games.

Canadian Football League

Harris signed with the Toronto Argonauts on February 1, 2017.[4][5] He was released following mini camp on May 1, 2017, but was then signed by the BC Lions on May 23, 2017.[6][7] He played in two pre-season games with the Lions, recording two catches for 47 yards and one touchdown, but was released on June 17, 2017, as part of final training camp cuts.[8] Shortly after, he was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 21, 2017, to their practice roster, but was released again on June 30, 2017.[7][9][10] Harris was then signed by the Ottawa Redblacks on July 11, 2017, and spent the season on the practice roster and suspended list.[7][11]

During the 2018 season, Harris was promoted to the active roster for the Redblacks and played in his first professional football game on July 6, 2018, where he had one catch for 10 yards. He scored his first touchdown on a 14-yard reception from Trevor Harris against the Montreal Alouettes on August 11, 2018.[12] He finished the year having played in 16 regular season games recording 49 receptions for 697 yards and two touchdowns. In 2019, he solidified himself as a starter with the Redblacks and played in 14 regular season games while catching 62 passes for 774 receiving yards and two touchdowns. As a pending free agent in 2020, Harris re-signed with the Redblacks on February 5, 2020, to a one-year contract.[13] After the 2020 CFL season was cancelled, he signed another contract extension with the Redblacks on January 15, 2021.[14] Harris continued to be one of the Redblacks' best receivers during the 2021 season, playing in all 14 regular season games and catching 46 passes for 595 yards. Following the season Harris and Ottawa agreed to a one-year contract extension.[15] R.J. Harris only played in five games for the Redblacks in 2022, catching 17 passes for 175 yards. Harris was released on February 14, 2023.[16] On April 14, 2023, he announced his retirement from professional football.[17]

Personal life

Harris was born in Würzburg, Germany, to Ronnie Sr. and Annette Harris, former members of the military, but grew up in Odenton, Maryland.[2][5]

References
  1. "CSC Interview: New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver R.J. Harris". Canal Street Chronicles. June 23, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  2. "R.J. Harris". New Hampshire Wildcats. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  3. "Former UNH standout gets another look at life in the NFL with Saints". Concord Monitor. July 24, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. "Argos sign former NFL LB Butler". TSN. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  5. "Five things you need to know about RJ Harris". Toronto Argonauts. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  6. "Lions Add Receiver Trio For Mini-Camp". BC Lions. May 23, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  7. "CFL Transactions 2017". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  8. "Lions release seven on cut down day". BC Lions. June 17, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  9. "Toronto Argonauts announce veteran offensive lineman Jeff Perrett has retired". The Daily Courier. May 1, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  10. "Bombers add three, release two". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. June 21, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  11. "Transactions, July 11, 2017". Ottawa Redblacks. July 11, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  12. "Comeback Kids: Redblacks Battle Back to Defeat Alouettes in Ottawa". Canadian Football League. August 11, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  13. "Redblacks bring back R.J. Harris for 2020". Ottawa Redblacks. February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  14. "R.J. Harris and Avery Ellis return to Redblacks". Ottawa Redblacks. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  15. "REDBLACKS re-sign receiver Rj Harris". Ottawa REDBLACKS. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
  16. "Transactions - Football Player Trades and Signings". CFL.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  17. "Thanks RJ: receiver RJ Harris hangs up his cleats". Ottawa REDBLACKS. 2023-04-14. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
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