Jason Harris Feature
September 21, 1998
Pride and Joy
by Richard Gonzales
Give or take a few, there are three events in life that affect a person for years to come.
For starters, there is childbirth. Then marriage to that special someone.
Then comes the unfortunate time of passage. But senior tailback Jason Harris would like to add one more event to that tote board, the caring and guidance provided by his father, Rudy Harris.
As an all-american prepping at nationally-ranked Bishop Amat High School in southern California, Jason helped the Lancers reel off 27 consecutive victories and rushed for over 1,100 yards his final two seasons before heading to Washington.
Arriving in Seattle in 1994, Jason redshirted the year with his class as Washington was serving its last year of probation. As a redshirt freshman the following year, Jason watched senior Leon Neal maintain the running back position and gave way to junior Rashaan Shehee and transfer Corey Dillon in 1996.
Throughout this ordeal, Rudy would talk to Jason and keep his confidence up and was always there to give advice or shed light on situations that seemed too murky and tough to handle.
"Hes the type of person that has seen a lot," says the younger Harris. "Hes from Texas, he was in the Air Force, hes been across the seas and just seen a lot. He guides me and makes sure I dont fall into the pitfalls that he may. He makes sure that I make the right decisions on life. Every lecture he gives me has to do with planning for the future. Hes real good at guiding me and giving advice."
Last year, Jason found himself behind Shehee and sophomore Maurice Shaw, but thats when an unfortunate knee injury kept Shehee out for the remaining three games of the season. The Huskies were left with a question mark at running back.
All the advice and confidence that Rudy preached to Jason about being positive and seizing opportunities would soon become a reality. After playing the waiting game, Jason would play his game on the gridiron, thanks in part to the loyalty of his father.
"My parents always believe in me no matter whatever I do," explains Jason. "My father told me to hang in there and make sure I graduate and that my shot would come one day. Just always finish what you started."
Jasons day came at UCLA. He broke off a 55-yard touchdown run to put the Huskies up 14-7 in the second quarter and finished the day with 72 yards on 10 carries. He also racked up 80 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown at Oregon State in a 45-17 triumph.
But Jason wasnt always the six-foot, 210-pound man seen on the field today. He was a stellar 19-inch, eight pound, six-ounce baby boy at birth and still may be that precious in Rudys eyes.
"I can remember when he was a little kid, kind of scrawny and nerdy-looking. He wore big glasses and all of a sudden he just grew. Little spurts here and there," says Rudy of Jason, who now wears contact lenses.
Growing up was all fun and games in the Harris household. Rudy was a four-sport athlete at Booker T. Washington High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, competing in baseball, basketball, football and track. Rudy introduced a variety of sports to Jason and let Jason choose his favorite one to compete in if he so desired. The two would play catch, race each other and hang out to have an enjoyable time with each others company.
"As long as me and my dad are kickin it together it doesnt matter where we are," says Jason.
"Ive always been an active father and Ive always been home with him," says Rudy. "I introduced him to all the sports, from golf to basketball. I allowed him to make his choices; I didnt force him into anything. We always had fun. Hes been a good kid from day one. Ive never had a problem out of him. Hes a good kid in school. Hes a good church-going kid. I could outrun him until he was about 11 or 12 and I used to run pretty good myself."
Jasons football career began at age eight and his parents were in attendance at a game when, as Rudy recalls, "Jason took off around the end and got popped real good and mom didnt come to anymore games."
Not only is Jason heeding his fathers advice, he is also learning from it and giving out advice of his own while continuing to be a strong family-oriented individual.
"Hes focused, hes a deep thinker. Hes a generous kid, he thinks about others. I think hell be a good father. He tends to his young brother and tries to tell him the right things and set a good example for him. Im most proud of him for the fact that he is going to get his degree. They say that most jocks are just jocks first and students second, but he knows that he has to get a degree. From day one, we stressed education and hes understood that," says a gleaming Rudy of his son, a political science major.
Being a fifth-year senior and dealing with homesickness and numerous two-a-day practices, Jason has also brought a good deal of experience to the table to share with the five freshman running backs.
"They are all talented," says Jason. "Im just trying to help however I can to show them how college life is, how college football is different from high school and how it is staying away from home. There are a lot of things throughout the year Ill be able to help them with. I try to spread the wealth and share whatever I know with everybody."
This past off-season, Jason traveled to a family reunion in Oklahoma City, Okla., where he was reunited with cousins and other rarely-seen family members from years past. He also visited Wichita Falls and the Dallas Cowboys training camp.
"I have a tight family," says Jason. "This past summer I went to a family reunion, went to Dallas to visit family and went to Wichita Falls where my dad was raised. I am what I am because of my family and God placed me in a good family. Thats where my pride is. I owe a lot of my success to the people around me. I can always rely on my uncles, aunts, cousins, friends - everybody I know is supporting me. My grandmother was very important to me as a child."
One dish served at the Harris reunion was probably soul food, Jasons favorite food.
"Soul foods the best," says Jason with his far-from-soul-food, half-eaten chicken sandwich in front of him. "I cant make anything like my mother or my grandmother did, but thats why I love going home. Vacation is real good because there isnt anything like soul food to me."
Jasons grandmother played an important role during his childhood but recently passed away, leading Jason to dedicate his final college football season in her memory. Good memories of all types abound in the Harris family.
"I have a cup from the first year he played football when he was eight years old," Rudy says. "The team made a cup with his picture on it. I keep that on my desk all the time.its a reminder where he started."
From eight years old to 14 years later, Jason has made his father and family members proud from his exploits on and off the field and should continue to be a positive influence to those around him.
