(ThyBlackMan.com) For many African American football fans, Russell Wilson’s sterling performance in last Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVIII conjured memories of Doug Williams’ historic triumph in Super Bowl XXII.
Twenty-six years after Williams’ most valuable player effort lifted the Washington Redskins over the Denver Broncos, Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks in a 43-8 rout against the same Denver franchise. In doing so, Wilson, following in the footsteps of Williams, became the second African American starting quarterback to lead a team to victory in the Super Bowl.
However, the accomplishments of Williams and Wilson may not have 
been possible if not for James “Shack” Harris. During a professional playing career spanning from 1969 to 1981, Harris was the first African American to be a regular, full-time starting quarterback in the National Football League. He also was the first African American QB to lead a team to a division title and to be chosen for a Pro Bowl.
A product of Grambling College (now Grambling State University) and legendary coach Eddie Robinson, Harris had most of his professional success with the Los Angeles Rams (1973-1976), who gave Harris a second chance after he was out of football in 1972 when the Buffalo Bills released him. At that time the Rams were one of the NFL’s glamour franchises, and it was Harris’ performance during those years that provided inspiration to another Grambling great, Williams, who became the first African American QB selected in the first round of the NFL draft when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose him with the 17th overall pick in 1978.
Perhaps James Harris’ greatest gift to African American quarterbacks that followed him was his staying power. During an era when African American signal callers were routinely converted to other positions or broken down emotionally James Harris maintained a presence at the
sports’ most important position for roughly a decade despite suffering many indignities. Upon Harris’ rookie arrival in Buffalo the team gave him a job in the equipment room, putting laces in shoes. “I didn’t know if this was part of the game or what,” Harris recalled. Of his days with the Rams, where James Harris never silenced all of his critics despite winning 21 games and losing six as a starter, he once said: “The Rams made me, but they also ruined me.” Nonetheless, when Harris announced his retirement as a player prior to the 1982 season, he was whole enough to eventually become a successful front-office executive in the league.
James Harris has been assistant general manager of the New York Jets, director of pro personnel for the Baltimore Ravens and vice president of player personnel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. During James Harris’ Jacksonville stint, the 2004 Jags became the first NFL team to have three African American quarterbacks (Byron Leftwich, David Garrard and Quinn Gray) on the regular season roster. Today, he is senior personnel executive for the Detroit Lions, and by achieving on and off the field “Shack” Harris is a central figure in the legacy of African American quarterbacks.
Staff Writer; Scott Talley
This talented journalist is owner of a public relations firm; Scott Talley & Associates, Inc….
