Harry Douglas

Harry Douglas III and his wife Stephanie always believed their sons were destined for greatness. Their younger son, Toney, went on to play in the NBA, while their older son, Harry, enjoyed a successful career in the NFL.

At Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Georgia, Harry Douglas IV excelled as a multi-sport scholar athlete, standing out in basketball, football, baseball, and track. Though he made a name for himself on the basketball court, where he averaged more than 20 points per game as a senior, it was football that truly captured his heart. On the gridiron, Douglas was just as impressive, recording 80 receptions for 1,539 yards and 14 touchdowns over his three-year high school career. His football achievements brought him to Kentucky earning a scholarship to the University of Louisville.

After being redshirted in 2003, his career as a Louisville Cardinal quickly took off. A standout moment from his first season came in the 2004 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, where he broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run on a reverse play, helping lift the Cardinals to a thrilling 44-40 win over Boise State and a final #6 AP ranking in their last year in Conference USA. Harry later delivered a record-setting performance in the 2007 Orange Bowl, hauling in 10 receptions for 165 yards—a personal best and an Orange Bowl record—leading the Cardinals to a 24-13 victory. A two-time All-Big East First Team selection, he was also named a Second Team All-American in 2007. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in Political Science.

Douglas was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He made an early impact, scoring his first two career touchdowns in a Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. In that game, he became just the 10th player in Falcons history to return a punt for a touchdown, a 61-yard effort that earned him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

After a strong rookie campaign, his second year was derailed by injury. On the fifth day of 2009 training camp, Douglas suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire season, landing him on injured reserve.

He returned to action in 2010 and gradually regained his form. His best season came in 2013 when he posted career highs with 85 receptions and 1,067 receiving yards.

Douglas was released by the Falcons in 2015 and soon after signed a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans. His first season in Nashville was his most productive, as he earned a starting role and recorded 411 receiving yards. He retired from the NFL following the 2017 season.

While Douglas achieved considerable success on the football field, his impact extended well beyond the game. In recognition of his community service and philanthropy, the Atlanta Touchdown Club named him their 2014 Man of the Year. He also served as a speaker at the NFL Players Association Rookie Symposium for two consecutive years, mentoring young athletes entering the league.

Together with his brother Toney, he co-founded the Douglas Brothers Foundation, Inc., an organization dedicated to educating and empowering underprivileged youth and their families. Their mission is to help individuals reach their full potential while fostering stronger, more resilient communities.

After retiring from the NFL, Douglas transitioned into a successful broadcasting career with ESPN. He contributes across a variety of studio and digital football programs and is a co-host of the popular Countdown to College GameDay show. He also co-hosts ESPN Radio’s national weekday afternoon drive show alongside Freddie Coleman, airing Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Profile headshot from ESPN’s Press Room. Profile Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Other images copyrighted by Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame,