Military service caused him to miss the second half of the season,[6] although he returned in time for Super Bowl V and never relinquished the position after 1971.

Harris was a key member of the Cowboys Super Bowl VI winning team in the following season, intercepting 2 passes and recovering three fumbles, while also ranking 3rd in the NFL with a 28.4 yards per kickoff return average.

After the play, he mockingly hugged Gerala and patted him on his helmet, resulting Harris being violently shoved to the ground by Steelers linebacker Jack Lambert.

You see other teams modeling their free safeties around the way Harris plays the pass, and striking fear in everyone on the field because he hits so hard.".

[15] The Cliff Harris Award is presented to the top defensive player in the country representing Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities.

The Selection Committee includes Roger Staubach, Lee Roy Jordan, Walt Garrison, Gene Stallings, Jackie Smith, Drew Pearson, Rayfield Wright, Everson Walls, Charlie Waters, Bill Bates, Gil Brandt, Mel Renfro, Jim Hart and Harris himself.

The inaugural winner of the Cliff Harris Award in 2013 was defensive back Pierre Desir from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri.

Receiving the 2014 award was Darius Allen, a senior defensive end from Colorado State University-Pueblo who helped the Thunderwolves to their first-ever NCAA Division II national championship.

The recipient of the award in 2016 was Conner Harris, senior linebacker at Lindenwood University and the top tackler in the history of college football.

Ouachita football, whose mascot is the Tiger, has a rich tradition dating back to 1895 and competes in the Great American Conference in NCAA Division II.