My name is Herbert Harris Jr. I lived across the street from Kashmere High School and was named their mascot at some point. I attended all the practices and went to all the games first with coach Billie Matthews and then with Coach Johnny B. Felder. I learned a lot over the years watching practice and games. I sincerely believe this is what enhanced my career during college.  I graduated from Kashmere High in 1979. During that time I played football split end and tight end. I was named Honorable Mention all-district my senior year. However, I did not play football until I got to high school and spent two years on J.V. I was not recruited by a lot of colleges.  TCU recruited me and one other player to attend their university. However, on signing day they called and said they would not be able to offer me a scholarship.

I was invited to Lamar University for a college visit. They soon offered me an invited walk-on invitation, which I took. During my first year I ran scout team and played J.V. football. I had a good J.V season and was offered a scholarship the spring semester. I played wide out in a run and shoot style of offense. I earned a starting position the last three games of my sophomore year after coming off the bench as the third or fourth receiver.

By my junior year I was playing all the receiver positions. My highlights would include single game records for 13 catches and 193 yards both school records in 1981. I also had season records included 61 catches for 911 yards and 7 touchdowns both school records. My junior year I finished sixth in the nation in receiving NCAA Division One. I was named to the All Southland Conference team where I received the second highest vote total. That year I was also named Honorable Mention All American. There were also two other Kashmere players named Honorable Mention All American that year, Harvey Armstrong and Eric Ferguson all of us from Kashmere High. That was probably a first in the nation three guys same high school named to All American team from State of Texas.

My senior year we got a new coach with a veer type offense. We ran the ball a lot. I did manage to lead the nation Division 1 AA in kickoff returns. My other talents included leading the punt team in tackles three consecutive years.

After my senior year I signed free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I was released before the start of the season and went back to Beaumont and took the one class I needed to graduate. I graduated Dec 1983 and signed contract with the Philadelphia/Baltimore stars of United States Football League where I played two seasons.  We won two championships and I had the longest receiving touchdown in team history (yards after catch) When the league folded I signed with the New Orleans Saints where I plays 2.5 seasons and was on the team that made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

During my football life no one ever asked where I went to college, they only asked where I played High School football. All the coaches knew of our High School and community and could tell you players they recruited. I’m currently employed as the Executive Director Operations with Aldine I.S.D

Thank you KFAA for nominating me