EUGENE, Ore. – As more details unfold about Oregon’s All-American defensive back, Cliff Harris, run in with the law for driving nearly double the legal speed limit outside of Albany, Oregon on Interstate 5, Head Coach Chip Kelly stated that Harris will be suspended indefinitely.
It looks as if the length of the suspension will determine how he carries himself throughout the remained of the offseason and entering team practices that start Aug. 18.
Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris // Photo: Ezra Shaw, Getty images
“Cliff’s future clearly is in Cliff’s hands,” Kelly said in a release. “Earning an opportunity to represent the University of Oregon and this football program certainly rests far beyond a player’s ability on the field of play. Our behavior out of the spotlight often is more important and will be held to a higher standard. Until Cliff is able to conform to the same standards all of us must comply with, his status will remain unchanged.”
While the length of the suspension has not been determined, Kelly did state that it would include the season-opener against LSU in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 3 at Cowboys Stadium.
Days after news broke that Harris was cited for driving 118 mph in a 65 mph speed zone with a suspended license in a rental car, more details show that the driving violations were the second in the last two months. On May 1, Harris was cited for Driving while Suspended in downtown Eugene, Ore. in a vehicle owned by teammate Darron Thomas.
The rental car was originally rented by a university employee, who’s name has not been released, but the employee states that Harris and a unnamed teammate paid her in full for the rental and was assured that Harris would not be driving.
The university employee does not work in the athletic department rented the car for personal use, university spokesman Oregon Sports Information Director, Dave Williford said. He also mentioned that the incident is still under investigation and that he has reported the possible violation to Pac-12 officials.
Traffic violations for Harris don’t stop there. It has been reported that the talented defensive and special teams star has more then $8,500 in unpaid traffic fines in two different states — California and Oregon — from 11 different violations. With every violation it was noted by the courts that he was found guilty by default for failing to appear in court. All of the $8,500 in fines are now in collection due to non-payment.
If the suspension is a lengthy one it could be a large factor for the Ducks season, — as the team looks to make another run at a national championship. Last year the team had an undefeated regular season and lost the BCS National Championship game to Auburn on a last minute field goal.
“Earning an opportunity to represent the University of Oregon and this football program certainly rests far beyond a player’s ability on the field of play,” Kelly said. “Our behavior out of the spotlight often is more important and will be held to a higher standard. Until Cliff is able to conform to the same standards all of us must comply with, his status will remain unchanged.”
Harris led the Pac-10 with six interceptions, set a school-record with four punt return touchdowns and was second in the country with an 18.8-yard punt return average. He was recently named to the 2011 preseason All-America team.
Alan K. Fox can be reached at alanfoxjr@gmail.com or on Twitter @alankfox.
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