Demone Harris Bio
Demone Harris (born December 30, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). Harris played college football for the University at Buffalo Bulls and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Over his professional career, he has appeared in games for multiple NFL franchises, most notably winning Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. Harris brings experience as a special teams contributor and depth at the linebacker position accumulated across both NFL and spring football leagues.
Early Life and Background
Demone Harris was born on December 30, 1995, in Buffalo, New York, United States. He attended Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School in his hometown, where his primary athletic focus was basketball during his formative high school years. Harris did not begin playing organized football until his junior year of high school, making his gridiron debut relatively late compared to many professional football players who often start during youth athletics.
Despite the late start, Harris demonstrated enough athleticism and promise to earn an opportunity at the collegiate level. His background in basketball provided him with hand-eye coordination and footwork skills that would later translate to his development as a football player at the professional level.
Path to Professional Football
Following his graduation from Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School, Harris enrolled at the University at Buffalo, where he attempted to walk on to the Bulls football program. Harris redshirted during his freshman season, using that year to develop his skills, understand the college-level game, and adapt to the increased competition. The redshirt year allowed him to build strength and learn the nuances of playing linebacker at a higher level.
By his redshirt junior season in 2017, Harris had established himself as a reliable contributor for the Buffalo defense. His performance that year earned him recognition as a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the best walk-on player in college football, and a selection to the All-Mid-American Conference Second Team. These honors validated his journey from basketball-focused high school athlete to Division I football contributor through dedication and hard work.
Demone Harris Career
Early NFL Career (2018–2019)
Demone Harris entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 30. He was waived during final roster cuts but quickly joined the Buccaneers practice squad. Harris earned a promotion to the active roster on October 10, 2018, and made his NFL debut four days later against the Atlanta Falcons, playing four special teams snaps in his inaugural professional game. His tenure with Tampa Bay involved movement between the active roster and practice squad throughout the 2018 and early 2019 seasons.
Following his release from Tampa Bay in October 2019, Harris signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on October 22, joining the organization after an injury to Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee. His stay in Baltimore proved brief, as he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs off the Ravens practice squad on November 21, 2019, marking the beginning of his most successful professional chapter.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Harris made his Chiefs debut on December 8, 2019, at Gillette Stadium and recorded his first career tackle in that game against Rex Burkhead of the New England Patriots. The 2019 season culminated in the ultimate achievement for any NFL player when Harris and the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31–20 in Super Bowl LIV on February 2, 2020. Harris earned his first championship ring as part of one of the league’s premier organizations during the Patrick Mahomes era.
The 2020 season saw Harris remain with the Chiefs organization, though his contributions came primarily on special teams. He appeared in one game that season, recording three tackles against Melvin Gordon of the Denver Broncos in a decisive victory. Harris was waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times during this period, demonstrating the precarious nature of roster spots in the NFL.
After re-signing with Kansas City in February 2021, Harris continued to bounce between the active roster and practice squad through standard elevation rules before his final release from the organization later that year. His time with the Chiefs produced his most significant professional accomplishment and invaluable experience playing within a championship-caliber system.
Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons (2021–2024)
Harris joined the Houston Texans practice squad on November 10, 2021, eventually signing a reserve/future contract with the team in January 2022. His time with Houston involved additional roster movement, with Harris waiving and re-signing multiple times throughout 2022. He signed another reserve/future contract in January 2023 before announcing his retirement from the NFL on August 2, 2023.
Less than two weeks after announcing his retirement, Harris came out of retirement to sign with the Atlanta Falcons on August 15, 2023. He spent the 2023 season with the Falcons, appearing on both the active roster and practice squad before signing another reserve/future contract in January 2024. Harris continued with Atlanta through the 2024 season, earning promotion to the active roster in late November before his release in August 2024.
San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Battlehawks (2025–Present)
Harris signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 14, 2025, but his tenure with the organization lasted only six days before his release on August 20. On March 2, 2026, Harris signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League, continuing his professional football career in the spring league after his NFL journey.
Playing Style and Strengths
Demone Harris has built his professional career primarily as a special teams contributor at the linebacker position. His experience spans multiple NFL organizations, demonstrating adaptability to different defensive schemes and locker room environments. Harris possesses the size (6 ft 4 in, 261 lb) to contribute on defense while his mobility allows him to excel on special teams units. His journey from a late-starting high school basketball player to Super Bowl champion exemplifies his athletic versatility and football intelligence.
Notable Events and Milestones
The pinnacle of Harris’s career remains his Super Bowl LIV championship with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. This victory came less than three months after joining the Chiefs organization and provided him with the championship experience that eludes many NFL players throughout their entire careers. His first career tackle against the New England Patriots in December 2019 marked his transition from practice squad player to active contributor.
Demone Harris Career Highlights
Demone Harris has accumulated professional football experience spanning the NFL and United Football League since beginning his career in 2018. His most significant achievement remains his Super Bowl championship with the Kansas City Chiefs, complemented by his All-MAC recognition during his collegiate career at Buffalo.
NFL and UFL Highlights
Harris’s professional resume includes a Super Bowl championship (LIV, 2020) earned during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. His NFL career statistics include 22 total tackles and 2 pass deflections across his appearances with Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Houston, and Atlanta. Harris appeared in regular season games across seven NFL seasons while also contributing on special teams throughout his career.
In March 2026, Harris joined the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League, continuing his professional football career in spring football after his extended NFL tenure. His ability to remain in professional football through multiple organizations and leagues demonstrates his durability and value as a depth player and special teams contributor.
College and Pre-Professional Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Harris earned Second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors during his redshirt junior season at the University at Buffalo in 2017. He was also nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy that same year, recognizing him as one of the top walk-on players in college football. These honors highlighted his remarkable progression from a basketball-focused high school athlete to a Division I football player capable of earning conference recognition.
Demone Harris Family
Family Background and Education
Harris grew up in Buffalo, New York, and attended Bishop Timon – St. Jude High School in South Buffalo. His family background and upbringing in the Buffalo area shaped his educational and athletic path, ultimately leading him to continue his academic and athletic career at the University at Buffalo in his home state.
Personal Life
Limited verified personal life information is available for Demone Harris in public records. His professional football career has taken him through multiple organizations across the United States as he has continued his playing career following his initial retirement announcement in 2023.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season marked another transition for Demone Harris when he signed with the San Francisco 49ers in August. Although his tenure with the 49ers proved brief, lasting only six days before his release, Harris demonstrated his commitment to continuing his professional football career. Following his release from San Francisco, Harris pursued opportunities in the United Football League, ultimately signing with the St. Louis Battlehawks in March 2026. His ability to remain active in professional football after seven seasons in the NFL speaks to his durability and continued value as a depth linebacker and special teams player. Harris brings experience from playing in multiple defensive systems and championship-level environments to his new organization.