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Jimmy Harris Obituary
The Osborn Funeral Home in Shreveport, La., says Harris died early Tuesday and his funeral is planned Saturday at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Shreveport. A visitation is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
Harris took over as Oklahoma's quarterback during the 1954 season and never lost a game, leading the Sooners to national championships in 1955 and 1956. He is one of only six quarterbacks to lead a school to back-to-back national titles.
Notre Dame's Johnny Lujack (1946-47), Nebraska's Jerry Tagge (1970-71), Oklahoma's Steve Davis (1974-75), Nebraska's Tommie Frazier (1994-95) and Southern California's Matt Leinart (2003-04) are the others.
"If it wasn't for Jimmy Harris, I don't think Oklahoma could have won," said Tommy McDonald, Oklahoma's Maxwell Award-winning running back during the streak. "He was a super guy. He had a lot of talent. He really had a lot of talent."
Harris had career totals of 1,237 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns and 745 yards passing with another 10 TDs. He also made eight interceptions while playing defense.
Harris went on to play four seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Texans and Dallas Cowboys. He was credited with 11 career interceptions as a pro.
The Sooners' run of 47 consecutive wins started in 1953 and ran through 1957 and still stands as a Division I record. Toledo won 35 straight games between 1969 and 1971, but that's as close as any school has come in the half-century since. Miami and Southern California had 34-game winning streaks in the past decade.
McDonald said the streak was a result of a Sooners team stocked with leaders - and Harris was one of them.
"That's how we worked," McDonald said. "That's why we won so much."
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
25 Entries
Bill Cook
September 7, 2011
Jim, As a friend and classmate at
Terrell High in 1953 your accomplishments and friendship will always be cherished memories.
Bill Cook THS 1953
Suzanne Gear
August 22, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Danny Brackett
August 21, 2011
So sorry to hear this. I have followed the Sooners my entire life. I was only 9 years old but I remember watching the Notre Dame game on TV in 1957. I saw where Bud Wilkinson said that Jimmy Harris contribution to our program is immeasurable. OU won every game he started. My sincere condolences. GO SOONERS! Pre-Season #1.
Kendell Ogle
August 14, 2011
Another great Sooner gone. My heart goes out to the family. Go Sooners!
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Harwell Boys
August 13, 2011
Ours thoughts and prayers are with the Jimmy Harris family at this time. A great Terrell Tiger, before being a great OU Sooner.
Lynda Sauvlet
August 13, 2011
Mr. Harris, a wonderful QB and leader of one of college football's greatest accomplishments. I hope you rest in peace. My sympathies to your family. You were a true Sooner legend.
Mitch Willis
August 13, 2011
RIP Jimmy! You were a Great Sooner!
Theresa Campbell
August 12, 2011
My prayers and thoughts are with the family of Jimmy Harris as you deal with this time of saddness.
Pete Ulicny
August 12, 2011
Mr. Harris was the leader of one of the all-time great team sports streaks. May he rest in peace. God bless his family and friends.
August 12, 2011
I am sorry for your loss. God promises that one day we will see our loved ones again. How important it is that we listen to God and obey to be sure we will make it to see them.
Gene Bennett
August 11, 2011
James, was not only a great person and Sooner, but was a great Terrell Tiger. I am 4 years younger than Jim, but he was my idol in high school and I will always remember him.
August 11, 2011
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Harris family. Our prayers are with you. 2 Cor.1:3,4
Sooner American
August 10, 2011
James Bedford Harris, you will be missed.
Rita/John Naftel
August 10, 2011
We only met a few times here at beach but you were one of the most friendly neighbors we'd ever had. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and Angie, family.
John & Rita Naftel
August 10, 2011
Our sympathies to the Harris family. May the God of all comfort be with you as you cope with your loss.
R Golay
August 10, 2011
To the the family of Jimmy Harris - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Jeremy Neilson
August 10, 2011
I was born 18 years after Jimmy played for OU, but I have studied his career, and there is no doubt that Jimmy was one of the chief architechts of the Oklahoma football program. Myself and my family owe him a debt of gratitude for all that Oklahoma football means to us today. RIP Jimmy. Thank you, and my family's thoughts and prayers are with the Harris family.
August 10, 2011
Enjoyed being a fellow geologist with you in the Shreveport days. Oil finding was just like your football---alwaysa winner. Thanks for the entertainment at OU and the trips we made to the OU-TU games.
Tommy and Jan Atkins ou 1955
Connie Talley
August 10, 2011
He was such a gentleman. I glad to have known him for the short time I did. I will miss our Sooner talks. My condolences to the Harris family.
Lisa Simms
August 9, 2011
I am so sorry for your family's loss. Jimmy was one of our favorite players, especially my husband's. A couple of years ago, my husband's birthday was coming up. I wanted to get something real special for him. I had the idea to see if Jimmy would be so kind to autograph our copy of the book "The Undefeated". I was unsuccessful in trying to find my own way to locate him, so I contacted Berry Tramel. Berry was so kind to coordinate it for me, giving me the address to mail it. I mailed the book, along with a letter, to Jimmy and he was so sweet to autograph it for me. It is possibly the most cherished item my husband has. What a great man to take the time to make a gift so special. He will be missed by the entire Sooner Nation.
Larry Grizzle
August 9, 2011
I will be praying for the family. I have been an OU fan for many years and started following them when Jimmy was the quarterback. Great memories. I am sorry for your loss.
Kevin Davis
August 9, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the Harris family, I am sorry for your loss.
Ryan Greenlee
August 9, 2011
My condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Harris.
Don Brewington
August 9, 2011
Jim Harris was with out a doubt one of greatest players of all time for OU.
Played in a tennis tourney in Shreveport w him,remarkable athlete.Rest in peace.
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