{{Short description|American football player (born 1956)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Dennis Harrison | number = 68, 96 | position = Defensive end | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|7|31}} | birth_place = Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 8 | weight_lb = 275 | high_school = Riverdale<br />(Murfreesboro, Tennessee) | college = Vanderbilt | draftyear = 1978 | draftround = 4 | draftpick = 92 | pastteams = * Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1978}}–{{NFL Year|1984}}) * Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1985}}) * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|1986}}) * Atlanta Falcons (1986–{{NFL Year|1987}}) | highlights = * Pro Bowl (1982) * First-team All-SEC (1977) | statlabel1 = Sacks | statvalue1 = 61.0 | statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue2 = 7 | statlabel3 = Interceptions | statvalue3 = 1 | pfr = HarrDe02 }}
'''Dennis Harrison Jr.''' (born July 31, 1956) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played in Super Bowl XV for the Philadelphia Eagles and was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1982 season. In 1983, he led the Philadelphia Eagles in sacks with 11.5 on the season.
== Early life == Harrison was born on July 31, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee where he was a standout on the school's football and wrestling teams. As a senior, he was the state's heavyweight wrestling champion, going 25–0 on the season, with 20 pins.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Dennis Harrison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HarrDe02.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=February 15, 1974 |title=Dennis Harrison Eyes State Wrestling Title |work=The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) |pages=8}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1974 |title=Sporting News And Views |work=The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) |pages=7}}</ref> He played tight end, defensive end and defensive tackle on Riverdale's football team.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=August 1, 1974 |title=Sloan, Carlen Here For Clinic |work=The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) |pages=8}}</ref> He participated in the 1974 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) All-Star game at defensive tackle, and was named Most Valuable Lineman in that game.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 6, 1974 |title=Most Valuable Lineman |work=The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) |pages=6}}</ref> He was also on the track team, throwing the shot put and discus.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1973 |title=Oakland Triumphs in Track Meet |work=The Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) |pages=8}}</ref> As a high school senior, he was 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 240 lb (108.9 kg) or 247 lb (112 kg).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
== College career == Harrison received a football scholarship to attend Vanderbilt University.<ref name=":1" /> He played on the Vanderbilt Commodores varsity team from his freshman year (1974) on. His first defensive coach at Vanderbilt was future Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-27 |title=HOF Class of 2023: Dennis Harrison |url=https://vucommodores.com/hof-class-of-2023-dennis-harrison/ |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Parcells {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/bill-parcells |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=pfhof |language=en}}</ref> As a freshman, he was named the defensive player of the game in the 1974 Peach Bowl against Texas Tech. In that game, a 6–6 tie, he blocked a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. At defensive tackle, he was a key player during a goal line stand that stopped Texas Tech from scoring a touchdown on three consecutive running plays within Vanderbilt's five-yard line.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bibb |first=John |date=December 29, 1974 |title=Vancy, Tech Struggle To Deadlock |work=The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) |pages=1-D}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> He was selected All-SEC (Southeastern Conference) in 1977 by United Press International.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davy |first=Jimmy |date=December 2, 1977 |title=VU's Smith, Cox Make All-SEC |work=The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) |pages=40}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> He was selected to play in the Blue-Gray Classic and the Hula Bowl.<ref name=":5" />
== Professional career == The Philadelphia Eagles selected Harrison in the fourth round of the 1978 NFL draft (92nd overall).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1978/draft.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was drafted by future Hall of Fame head coach Dick Vermeil,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dick Vermeil {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/dick-vermeil |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=pfhof |language=en}}</ref> and played under Vermeil from 1978 to 1982.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dick Vermeil Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/VermDi0.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Rich |date=September 28, 1985 |title=Rams Obtain Eagles Defensive Lineman for Two Draft Choices |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=2, Part III}}</ref> He played defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1978 to 1984, being selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1982. He became a full time starter at left defensive end in 1980, and started 68 games there for the Eagles from 1980 to 1984. His peak seasons came from 1982 to 1984, when he had 10.5, 11.5 and 12 quarterback sacks, respectively.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1982 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1982/probowl.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His 11.5 sacks in 1983 led the Eagles defense.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1983 Philadelphia Eagles Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/1983.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He went to Super Bowl XV under Vermeil in the 1980 season, losing to the Oakland Raiders, 27–10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XV - Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles - January 25th, 1981 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198101250phi.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Harrison was defensive team captain in 1984.<ref name=":3" />
Harrison held out before the 1985 season for a salary increase, reportedly because he was making less than half in salary as the team's other defensive end, Greg Brown. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for two draft picks, having become expendable after the Eagles signed future Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Reggie White {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/reggie-white |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=pfhof |language=en}}</ref> He played in 12 games for the Rams in 1985, but did not start any games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 Los Angeles Rams Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/1985.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
The San Francisco 49ers signed Harrison in July 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jenkins |first=Jim |date=July 20, 1986 |title=49ers display a slightly different look |work=The Sacramento Bee |pages=C-10}}</ref> The 49ers waived Harrison in October 1986,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1986 |title=Transactions, Football |work=The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts) |pages=47 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and he was acquired by the Atlanta Falcons.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1986 |title=Transactions, Football |work=The Post-Crescent (Appleton, Wisconsin) |pages=C-2}}</ref> He did not start any games for either team that season.<ref name=":4" /> In 1987, his final season, Harrison started four games for the Falcons at right defensive end, with 1.5 sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1987 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1987.htm |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
Over a 10-year NFL career, Harrison started 79 regular season games, with 61 quarterback sacks, seven fumble recoveries and one interception.<ref name=":4" />
== Honors == He was named to the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023.<ref name=":5" /> In 1999, he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name=":6" />
== Coaching career == Harrison was the first black assistant football coach at Franklin Road Academy (FRA).<ref>{{cite news|first=Jim|last=Wyatt|page=C1|newspaper=The Tennessean|title=Rebel tag is history at FRA|date=July 24, 1997|location=Nashville}}</ref> He coached at FRA for seven years, and in 1991 FRA's football team was the TSSAA champion.<ref name=":6" /> He also coached at Page High School for three years, where his wrestling team finished second in Tennessee in 1996 and he was named Class A/AA Coach of the Year.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> He left in 1997 for a coaching position at Vanderbilt University.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|title=Dennis Harrison « Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame|url=http://tshf.net/halloffame/harrison-dennis/|website=tshf.net}}</ref> From 1997 to 2001, he was an assistant coach to head football coach Woody Widenhofer at Vanderbilt, coaching the defensive line.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 24, 2013 |title=Game with Vandy special for Tennessee's Harrison |work=Elizabethton Star (Elizabethton, Tennessee) |pages=2B |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Organ |first=Mike |date=August 15, 1997 |title=Former Steelers' receiver visits his son at practice |work=The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) |pages=6C}}</ref> Harrison is currently a coach and gym teacher for middle school football, track, and girls basketball at Brentwood Middle School in Brentwood, Tennessee.{{citation needed|date=November 2025}}
== Personal life == At Vanderbilt, he attended the George Peabody College for Teachers, and became a teacher and coach after his football career, at Brentwood Middle School,<ref name=":5" /> among others. He has also served as a social minister at Greater St. John Missionary Baptist.<ref name=":5" />
Harrison and his wife Ida, a nurse, have 12 children.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Abin |date=2025-06-04 |title=Who Are the Parents of Isabelle Harrison? Everything You Need to Know About the Fever Star’s Family and Background |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-who-are-the-parents-of-isabelle-harrison-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fever-stars-family-and-background/ |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=EssentiallySports |language=en}}</ref> His son David Harrison was a two-time Mr. Basketball in Tennessee and was named to the 2001 McDonald's All-American game before a standout career at the University of Colorado - Boulder. The 7 ft (2.13 m) tall David was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers, and played in four seasons for the Pacers as well as professionally in China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NBA Draft |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2004.html |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Spears |first=Marc J. |date=2015-03-13 |title=From McDonald's All-American to McDonald's worker: How David Harrison lost his way after the NBA |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/from-mcdonald-s-all-american-to-mcdonald-s-worker--how-david-harrison-lost-his-way-after-the-nba-055853807.html |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=David Harrison Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrida01.html |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Branson |date=February 20, 2023 |title=Former NBA center David Harrison is trying to assist legal marijuana businesses |url=https://andscape.com/features/former-nba-center-david-harrison-is-trying-to-assist-legal-marijuana-businesses/ |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Andscape |language=en-US}}</ref> His daughter, Isabelle, played basketball at Tennessee and was selected as the 12th pick in 2015 WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isabelle Harrison College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/isabelle-harrison-1.html |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 WNBA Draft Board |url=http://www.nba.com/draft/2015/draft_board.html |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> She has played eight WNBA seasons, while missing three other seasons due to injury or illness.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isabelle Harrison WNBA Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/h/harriis01w.html |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 1999, Harrison was charged with assaulting his wife, Ida, though she said she did not believe Harrison intended her any harm in the incident that led to the charges. The matter was resolved in June 2000, when Harrison was placed in a pretrial diversion program, that included a 24-week domestic violence counseling program with other family members.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 25, 2000 |title=Vandy assistant put in counseling program |work=The Vicksburg Post |pages=B2}}</ref> The couple have remained together.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Eagles1978DraftPicks}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Dennis}} Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Cleveland Category:American football defensive ends Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football players Category:Philadelphia Eagles players Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:Atlanta Falcons players Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players Category:20th-century American sportsmen