Louisville Celebrates ESPN’s Sure-Handed Juggler As Harry Douglas’ Jersey Is Enshrined In Its Ring Of Honor
Get insight into ESPN's ubiquitous commentator's hectic schedule - and the former star Louisville WR's secrets for balancing work and family - before he returns to his alma mater Saturday
It’s a question that confounded college football and NFL defensive coordinators for years.
“Where in the world is Harry Douglas?”
Saturday, the answer is easy. The ubiquitous ESPN commentator will be in the University of Louisville’s L&N Stadium, where the Cardinals athletic program is enshrining Douglas’ No. 85 jersey in its Ring Of Honor.
Douglas was a second-team All-American wide receiver at Louisville, where he starred from 2004-07. Twelve years before joining ESPN as a contributor to its football shows, Douglas was on the cover of ESPN The Magazine with two Cardinals teammates.
If it were not for this special occasion, the ESPN commentator probably would be with his Countdown To College GameDay teammates in Norman, Okla., to help preview the Tennessee-Oklahoma showdown (Saturday, ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET).
As it is, Douglas is seemingly everywhere on ESPN platforms linear, digital and audio.
Between Monday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 15, Douglas was in five cities in six days: Bristol, Conn.; New York City; his hometown Atlanta; Columbia, S.C. and Phoenix.
For example, here’s how he describes his Thursday, Sept. 12 schedule from ESPN’s New York City Seaport studios:
“I did a 7 a.m. SportsCenter hit, appeared on Get Up 8-10 a.m., then our ESPN Radio show Freddie & Harry filled in for Greeny 10 a.m.-noon. Then I caught a flight back to Atlanta to spend time with the family.”
The former Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans star would have it no other way.
Douglas reflected on the latest Louisville honor, turning 40 this week, his secrets to maintaining a hectic work schedule, and appearing on The Mag cover.
(Inline media courtesy Harry Douglas, Louisville X feeds)
Bio
- Ten-year NFL veteran Harry Douglas joined ESPN in 2019 and is a contributor across ESPN studio shows for all sports and digital football shows, including co-hosting Countdown to College GameDay.
- In addition to his studio and digital show responsibilities, Douglas is the co-host of ESPN Radio’s afternoon drive show from 3-7 p.m. ET alongside Freddie Coleman and has been a mainstay across the radio network in various roles. Most recently, he co-hosted the midday show from 12-3 p.m. (since Jan. 2023). He also contributes to ESPN’s UFL game coverage as a field analyst.
- Douglas was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL Draft as a third-round pick after a standout career as a wide receiver at the University of Louisville, where he was an All-American and inducted into the 2021 Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame. He played for the Falcons for seven seasons and went on to play another three seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
- Douglas has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Louisville.
How do you maintain this travel and work schedule? What’s your secret?
Growing up, my parents taught me balance, structure and discipline. That foundation has allowed me to do it with ease. You have to prioritize and be intentional with time all while still making sure to be a great husband and father first.
My wife and kids are my entire world and nothing comes before them. I’m present when I’m home and also while away. When I’m home, I take them to school, do homework with them as well, do laundry, clean, cook sometimes [to] take the pressure off my wife because she owns two businesses.
SPIDER 2Y BANANAS ITINERARY: A SNAPSHOT OF DOUGLAS’ ROUTE RUNNING
Saturday, Sept. 14: Columbia, S.C. for Countdown to GameDay (watch video below); flies to Phoenix with wife Kierra for next assignment
Sunday, Sept. 15: Glendale, Arizona for NFL GameDay on ESPN Radio: Rams at Cardinals Douglas provides analysis with pxp voice Chris Carlin; celebrates turning 40 with Kierra, with whom he shares a 9/16 birthday
Monday, Sept. 16: Flies from Phoenix to Atlanta watching NCAA and NFL film; from his Atlanta-area home, Douglas co-hosts Freddie & Harry on ESPN Radio with Freddie Coleman; celebrates his Falcons’ Monday Night Football victory over the Philadelphia Eagles
Tuesday, Sept. 17: Wakes up at 4 a.m. watches more film, co-hosts Freddie & Harry
Wednesday, Sept. 18: More 4 a.m. film watching, flies to NYC to co-host Freddie & Harry from ESPN’s Seaport studios
Thursday, Sept. 19: From Seaport, 7 a.m. SportsCenter appearance; 7:45 a.m. hit on ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike; appearances on Get Up from 8-10 a.m. and Greeny after 10; flies out of NYC for Louisville, Ky. in time for 6 p.m. hit on Freddie & Harry
Today, Sept. 20: Co-hosts Freddie & Harry from 3-7 p.m. from Louisville
Saturday, Sept. 21: He’s inducted into Louisville’s Ring Of Honor during the Cardinals’ game against Georgia Tech (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Sunday, Sept. 22: No ESPN Radio NFL GameDay assignment because of Louisville trip
(Inline courtesy of Harry Douglas’ X feed)
You were inducted into Louisville Athletics Hall Of Fame in 2021. What does this Honored Jersey Ceremony on Saturday mean to you?
It means the world, everything honestly. Growing up, you always dreamed of this moment, having your jersey honored around the stadium and now it will become a reality. Legacy.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In the adjacent ESPN College Football YouTube video from 2023, Douglas needles then University of Kentucky star Will Levis about the Cardinals-Wildcats rivalry during a FirstTake episode.
What was it like being on the cover of ESPN The Magazine, The College Football Preview Issue, in 2007? You shared the cover with fellow receiver Mario Urrutia and quarterback Brian Brohm, now Louisville’s offensive coordinator. What do you remember about the shoot?
It was pretty cool. Growing up, you’re seeing the magazine and looking through it then you blink and now you’re on the cover.
It was a pretty surreal moment. I remember it was hot outside. I do have it framed at my parents’ house and a copy at my house as well.
