On a full Sunday slate of NFL games, few drew as much attention as a low-scoring affair in Nashville, Tenn., between Denver and Tennessee. But as you probably know by now, the buzz generated for all the wrong reasons.
Former standout Kansas football cornerback Chris Harris Jr., now one of the league’s top defensive backs with the Broncos, took what appeared to be a malicious cheap shot from Titans wide receiver Harry Douglas in the first half.
On a rushing play for Tennessee’s Derrick Henry, Harris came nowhere near making a tackle, but Douglas dove low toward Harris’ right knee as if to make a block.
> “I never had a player try to end my
> career before,” Harris [told reporters
> afterward][1]. “That’s not football.
> He tried to end my career with a hit
> like that. … [The officials] didn’t
> call it, but hopefully the league can
> take a look at that.”
>
> Added Harris, who avoided suffering
> significant damage on the play by
> pulling his leg backward just in time:
> “Whatever the biggest fine is, that’s
> what he should get.”
Here’s the dirty Harry Douglas block on Chris Harris: https://t.co/xmmzawM6dq
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 11, 2016
The questionable play by Douglas might have been a footnote for the weekend had Harris’ pal and former KU teammate Aqib Talib not gotten involved, too. On the very next play, Denver’s other top-notch cornerback let the Titans receiver know what he thought about the low hit on Harris.
Talib went right after Douglas, inciting a small brawl on the sideline.
Aqib Talib went after Harry Douglas on the next play. pic.twitter.com/3Y6cEkiTS2
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 11, 2016
> Following the game, Talib wasn’t done,
> calling Douglas a “sorry player,” and
> vowing to “beat his –” when he sees
> him next.
Harris, too, didn’t mind sharing his thoughts on the Tennessee receiver.
> “I was nowhere near the play, but
> that’s why he’s out there, to be a
> dirty player,” Harris said.
Douglas denied that accusation.
> “I’m a tough player. I’m a gritty
> player,” Douglas responded, through
> reporters. “I’m not a dirty player, no
> matter what anybody says.”
Thank God for covering me cuz I thought my knee was gone . ????????
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) December 11, 2016
Can’t Get open so let’s just take 25 out the game .
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) December 11, 2016
Both the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos and Harris consider themselves fortunate the play didn’t cost the star corner playing time, with the end of the regular season quickly approaching. At 8-5 following a 13-10 loss at Tennessee, Denver currently holds the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC, with three games left to play.
Despite Douglas’ low “block,” Denver won’t be cheated out of the use of one of its top players, which should be good news to Kansas football fans, even if they prefer another team from the AFC West.
[1]: http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18255892/scrum-breaks-denver-broncos-tennessee-titans-low-hit
