The four-time Pro Bowl defenseman and Super Bowl champion is officially retiring

Chris Harris Jr., the talented nickel defensive back and elite corner, officially retired as a Denver Bronco on Saturday.

The Broncos plan to celebrate Harris this weekend in their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The celebration is even more fitting considering Harris also played for the Chargers from 2020-21.

“It’s a blessing to pull back a Bronco from nothing and fight to make it since I was a kid,” Harris said in a post on X. “I hope my story can motivate all underdogs to achieve your goals.”

Harris will be seen on the field before Sunday’s divisional game.

The 35-year-old announced in March that he was hanging up his jersey after 12 seasons in the league. Harris spent the first nine years of his NFL career in Denver.

When Harris announced his resignation several months ago, he never had an official press conference. Things came full circle on Saturday when the cornerback officially retired as a Bronco.

Harris played a role in the “No Fly Zone” defense that helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. During his tenure in Denver, Harris received four Pro Bowl nominations and three All-Pro honors. He was also a member of two AFC champion teams.

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Harris was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for his performance as a slot corner in the 2010s.

The Super Bowl champion was once an undrafted free agent. After the 2011 NFL Draft, Broncos scout Dave Ziegler asked then-head coach John Fox which undrafted corner he wanted to sign.

Fox had two options: an extremely fast corner or a clever but not so fast one. Fox chose the smart one, namely Harris.

“The Broncos gave me a chance and I just tried to take that opportunity and take advantage of it,” Harris told Broncos reporter Elisa Hernandez. “It feels good to be able to finish my career here, where I started and where I was able to win a Super Bowl. We always had this passion and always wanted to approach every game with great enthusiasm. That was always my motto, always playing with that energy.”

Harris will celebrate his official retirement with his wife and five daughters.

“It took a lot of hard work,” Harris said of his path to the NFL. “From high school onwards it was a tough time. I just tried to make the best of everything.”

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