His long dreadlocks flapping outside his helmet in the frigid wind, Harris streamed down the sideline with a 52-yard interception return in overtime. That touchdown lifted the Green Bay Packers past the Seattle Seahawks 33-27 Sunday in a first-round NFC playoff game.
The cornerback picked off Matt Hasselbeck’s throw and headed to the end zone — directly past former Packers coach Mike Holmgren. Only Hasselbeck had a chance to tackle Harris, but he couldn’t get there. Harris scored the first defensive touchdown to win an overtime playoff game in NFL history.
“I was just praying that he did throw the ball,” Harris said, “because I was going to gamble on that play.”
Once he got to the end zone, his teammates tackled him, setting off a wild celebration, including Harris slapping hands with fans in the stands on a 100-yard victory lap.
His heroics sent the Packers (11-6) to Philadelphia next Sunday, while the Seahawks (10-7) go home knowing they let a prime opportunity slip away.
“I’m dying inside,” Holmgren said. “It hurts bad to lose this game.”
Seattle tied it with 51 seconds remaining on Shaun Alexander’s third 1-yard touchdown run. Then Packers kicker Ryan Longwell was short on a 47-yard field goal attempt as regulation time expired.
