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WHEREAS, Major Harris was born on February 15th, 1968, in Pittsburgh, residing in Bentley Drive and Elmore Square sections of The Hill District where he grew up to excel at sports from an early age as a light out pitcher and a power-hitter for the Uptown Little League; and,
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WHEREAS, Major earned “High School Football Player of the Year” at John A. Brashear High School from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, earning him an invite to the Big 33 where he dazzled the crowd once given the opportunity to play; and,
WHEREAS, as a sophomore at West Virginia University, Major led WVU to their first undefeated season and earned ECAC Player of the Year and finished fifth in the Heisman voting, passing for 1,915 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, rushing for 610 yards and 6 touchdowns, totaling 2,348 yards and 20 touchdowns for an average of 8.4 yards per touch; and,
WHEREAS, in 1989 Harris increased his numbers as a junior, throwing for 2,058 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 936 yards and 6 touchdowns, as he once again was named ECAC Player of the Year and finished third in the Heisman voting; and,
WHEREAS, Harris departed WVU following his junior year for the NFL and did so as one of only two quarterbacks in NCAA Division I history to pass for more than 5,000 yards and rush for more than 2,000, leaving WVU as the University all-time leader in total yards with 7,334, a record which stood until 2011; and,
WHEREAS, in 2009 Major Harris was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, in 2010 he was inducted into The Legends of the Sun Bowl, and in 2016 Harris was also named an inaugural member of the Mountaineer Legends Society; and,
WHEREAS, on November 6, 2021, WVU retired Major Harris’ number nine jersey, making him one of four jersey numbers retired by the university;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Pittsburgh Salutes Major Harris for his football accomplishments and for being an example for children to follow in the City of Pittsburgh and in the Hill District;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare July 15, 2022 to be “Major Harris Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.