Where are they now: Tuff Harris

By: Jake Grilley
GameDay Kaimin

Fans across the National Football League agree that Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs, is one of the loudest and toughest places to play a football game.
When Tuff Harris stepped on the field at Arrowhead for his second preseason game as a Miami Dolphin, even with over 70,000 Chiefs fans rooting against him, the rowdy football atmosphere in Kansas City must have felt a little like home.
“Playing for Montana prepared me well to play at this level,” Harris said. “Griz Nation is up there. NFL fans are good, but they don’t get much better than Griz fans.”
Harris said as a Griz he learned how to mentally and physically ready himself as a football player and developed a strong work ethic that has helped him succeed at such a high level.
Playing for Montana, however, didn’t prepare Harris for every aspect of the NFL.
“The biggest difference is that size and speed of the game is so much faster and quicker,” Harris said. “Everything happens a fraction of a second sooner than it did in college.”
Harris, a four-year defensive and special teams standout at Montana, joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent last spring, but he still isn’t quite accustomed to his new uniform. Running on to the field in the teal and orange of the Dolphins and not the maroon and silver of the Grizzlies has taken some getting used to, Harris said.
But he isn’t letting the color of his jersey stand in the way of his play. Harris has amassed nine tackles, eight of them solo and one pass deflection in three preseason season games with the Dolphins.
Harris found one series particularly rewarding for Montana football during the Dolphins’ first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
At cornerback, Harris lined up against Jacksonville wide receiver and former Grizzly Jimmy Farris.
“Not many Montana players make it (to the NFL),” Harris said. “For whatever reason they are often looked over, but Montana players have the talent to play at this level.”
Senior running back and former teammate Lex Hilliard praised Harris’ achievements.
“Any of these guys playing in the league puts Montana football on the map,” Hilliard said. “(Montana has) talent year after year. So many guys can make (the transition to the NFL).”
Harris said being an NFL player is isn’t much different than being a collegiate athlete, but every once in a while he’s reminded just how far he has come in his football career.
“I haven’t really been star struck,” Harris said. “But eating breakfast with guys like Trent Green and seeing some of these players, it makes me realize where I am.”
Even though Harris has spent his summer in South Florida, he still keeps tabs on what is happening back home.
Harris stays in contact with former coaches, players, friends and a few fans that let him know what is going on with the Grizzlies and how things are back home.
Harris has advice for those who are lucky enough to still wear maroon and silver.
“Enjoy being part of Griz Nation, those are times you will cherish,” Harris said. “Keep it up and work hard, anyone can make it.”
Harris believes he made it to where he is today by not jeopardizing his dreams.
“I made a lot of right decisions, I wasn’t perfect, but making good decisions helped me fulfill this dream of mine,” he said.
Harris’ dream still isn’t complete. Final cuts – trimming down the Miami roster to 53 players – will occur this weekend, something that Harris
doesn’t think about.
“I keep it out of mind,” Harris said. “I am not looking too far ahead. I am still living in a dorm, if I do make the roster, I will have to find an apartment in a hurry.”
As a young boy growing up in Montana, Harris one day dreamed of playing in the NFL.
“Lots of people dream about it,” Harris said. “Reality is staring me right in the face.”