Cliff Harris

The 'Captain Crash' who redefined the safety position and anchored the Cowboys' defense through five Super Bowl appearances.

Clifford Allen Harris, born November 12, 1948, is an American former professional football player who served as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL for ten seasons. A Pro Football Hall of Famer inducted in 2020, Harris appeared in five Super Bowls and was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls. Known by teammates as 'Captain Crash' for his punishing hits, he revolutionized the free safety position with his aggressive style and deep coverage skills. After going undrafted in 1970, he signed as a free agent, beating out third-round pick Charlie Waters for the starting role. Harris retired at age 31 in March 1980 to focus on his work in the oil business, leaving behind a legacy as one of only 13 players to play in five Super Bowls.

Quick Facts

Position: Safety
Born: 12 November 1948
Birthplace: Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.
High school: Des Arc (Des Arc, Arkansas)
College: Ouachita Baptist (1966–1969)
Former teams: Dallas Cowboys (1970–1979)

Lore & Background

Harris arrived in Dallas after going undrafted in 1970, earning a roster spot by beating out third-round draft choice Charlie Waters for the starting free safety position during his rookie year. Although military service caused him to miss the second half of that season, he returned for Super Bowl V and never relinquished the job after 1971. He became a key member of the Super Bowl VI winning team, recording two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and ranking third in the NFL with a 28.4 yards per kickoff return average.

Harris eventually formed the league's top safety duo with Waters throughout the 1970s. To maintain his speed, he famously wore placekickers' pads. His career included another Super Bowl victory in the 1977 season, where he intercepted five passes. He also played in Super Bowls X and XIII, both losses to Pittsburgh.

In Super Bowl X, Harris gained infamy for mockingly hugging Steelers kicker Roy Gerela after a missed field goal, an act that resulted in him being violently shoved to the ground by linebacker Jack Lambert.

Reader's Guide

Cliff Harris played ten NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, finishing with 29 interceptions returned for 281 yards and one touchdown. He also recorded 16 fumble recoveries for 91 yards. In special teams during his first half of his career, he gained 418 punt return yards and 1,622 kickoff return yards, averaging 25.7 yards per kick return. His accolades include four First-Team All-Pro selections, six consecutive Pro Bowl nods, and a spot on the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team.

He was added to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2004 and selected for the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2011 before his official Hall of Fame induction on January 15, 2020. Off the field, he authored 'Captain Crash and the Dallas Cowboys' (2006) and co-authored 'Tales From the Dallas Cowboys' with Charlie Waters. In 2014, Ouachita Baptist University named its new football stadium 'Cliff Harris Stadium' in his honor.