Chris Harris Jr.
An undrafted cornerback who defied all odds to become the lynchpin of the Denver Broncos' 'No Fly Zone' defense and a Super Bowl champion.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American football player·Birthday: June 18·Millennials
Biography
Chris Harris Jr.'s path to NFL stardom is a textbook study in proving people wrong. Ignored by every team in the draft, he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and quickly refused to be ignored. From special teams demon to starting nickelback to All-Pro outside corner, Harris mastered every role with a combination of film-study genius, technical precision, and fierce competitiveness. He was the versatile cornerstone of the Broncos' legendary 'No Fly Zone' secondary, a unit that terrorized quarterbacks and propelled the team to victory in Super Bowl 50. Harris's ability to shut down elite receivers from the slot—a notoriously difficult task—revolutionized how the position was valued. After nine seasons in Denver, he took his savvy to other teams, but his legacy is cemented as one of the most successful and impactful undrafted players in league history.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chris was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl 50 as a starting cornerback for the Denver Broncos.
- Earned four Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2016.
- Was a foundational member of the Broncos' 'No Fly Zone' defense, one of the NFL's best-ever secondaries.
- Returned an interception for a touchdown in the 2015 AFC Championship Game.
Did You Know?
He went undrafted out of the University of Kansas in 2011.
He famously allowed zero touchdown passes while covering the slot during the entire 2014 NFL season.
He and his wife founded the Chris Harris Jr. Foundation, focused on youth and community support.
He finished his career with over 20 interceptions and 100 passes defended.
“They said I was too small, so I just had to prove them wrong.”
