 | Jack Harris |
When Jack Harris was nine years old, he lost his right arm in an accident while hopping a freight train at Lamberts Point in Norfolk. He took the loss philosophically, saying "It didn't stop me from playing sports. I was lefthanded anyway."
Jack Harris went on to a great high school and collegiate career, beginning at Oceana High School in Norfolk, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. By the time he arrived at the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary in 1938, he had decided to limit his playing to just football and baseball. Jack played halfback and then quarterback with the Norfolk Division Braves, under the late Tommy Scott. He was basically a blocking back on those teams, but carried the ball on quarterback sneaks, led the team in pass interceptions and also kicked extra points. In baseball, Jack led the Braves from the mound for two seasons, quickly picking up the nickname "One-Armed Brave".
Harris went on to play football at Augusta Military Academy following his two years with the Braves, ultimately completing his college education at Columbia University in broadcast journalism. He went on to a successful radio career in Hampton Roads as a sports announcer with WNOR radio and later as executive vice president and general manager of WVAB radio in Virginia Beach.