HT: Broncos’ Chris Harris Jr. joins a ring of honor.

Earlier this week, the Broncos’ Chris Harris Jr. got some great and well earned news: he’ll be joining a host of other Jayhawks greats in his alma mater’s ring of fame.

In 2007, Harris stepped in as a Freshman and immediately became an important part the Jayhawks’ best team in 40 years. He produced 41 solo tackles, 24 assists, and 2 interceptions to help his team surge to a 12-1 record and an Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.

Four of his teammates departed for the NFL after that season, including fellow future Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib. And while the Jayhawks began to fall off as talented players moved on, Harris continued to grow into his role as a defensive playmaker for the team.

After four seasons and 50 games of delivering consistent performance, Harris turned his attention to the NFL... and promptly got snubbed. His name was never called in the 2011 NFL Draft. But John Elway called with the offer of a chance to prove everyone wrong. And three Pro Bowls, an All Pro nod, two Super Bowl appearances, and Super Bowl 50 victory later, Chris Harris has certainly done that. One of the Jayhawks’ best has become one of the Broncos’ and the NFL’s best.

Harris will reap additional awards from those organizations in due time. I can guarantee you here and now that he’ll take his well-earned place in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame someday. But for now, the opportunity to recognize his achievements belongs to the only other team whose uniform he’s worn in the last 11 years: the KU Jayhawks.

Horse Tracks

Pacman Jones got swung at, then beat up an airport worker - SBNation.com
Police didn’t cite Jones — but they did arrest the guy who punched him.

Madden 19 player ratings: Every NFL team’s most notable risers and fallers - SBNation.com
Rising: Jalen Ramsey. Falling: Matt Ryan.

Jeff Fisher could be bringing his 7-9 bulls**t to an NFL broadcast near you - SBNation.com
Who better to broadcast a Thursday night game than Mr. 7-9 himself?

HOF ceremonies won't individually honor Terrell Owens - NFL.com
The Pro Football Hall of Fame isn't planning to bring up Terrell Owens "as an individual" during its Gold Jacket and enshrinement ceremonies, HOF executive director Joe Horrigan says.

Tony Romo predicts Packers-Jaguars matchup in SB LIII - NFL.com
We're about 15 months into Tony Romo's retirement, and after a stellar first season in the booth, he's cruising at an enviable altitude. But does that give him the right to predict the future?

NFL's deepest position groups: Eagles' D-line reigns - NFL.com
Is any position group more stacked than the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive line, led by Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham? Chris Wesseling lists the seven deepest position groups in the NFL.

NFL's top 10 active triplets by college affiliation | NFL.com
As you may know, we annually like to focus on the offensive star power of the NFL's 32 teams by ranking triplets (QB/RB/WR). As you may also know, many pro football players first played in college ... which brings me to our first-ever top-10 ranking of NFL triplets by college. If you're like me, you'll be surprised more by the juggernauts that DIDN'T make it.

Watt gives $10,000 for fallen firefighter’s family
When J.J. Watt received a request to help a fallen firefighter's family, he quietly responded with a $10,000 donation.

'Top 100 Players of 2018': Five things the players got wrong - NFL.com
The "Top 100" is voted on by NFL players, and there's no doubt the on-field interactions with their peers give them a unique perspective on who's the very best in the league. But even the pros make mistakes. Nick Shook spotlights five.

Class in session: Sean Payton, Drew Brees teach NFL Lingo 101 - New Orleans Saints Blog- ESPN
The Saints' dynamic duo has been speaking the same language for 12 seasons, producing one of the most sophisticated attacks in NFL history.

NFL Nation predicts: Coaches players on hottest seat in every division - NFL Nation- ESPN
Tom Brady is a no-brainer to win MVP in the AFC East. Who else will shine in the 2018 season?

AFC West Q&A: Who will be the division MVP? - NFL Nation- ESPN
Philip Rivers could be poised for another career year, but it's a division filled with dangerous pass-rushers, including one Von Miller.

Should NFL worry about referee turnover? Here's why there's concern - NFL Nation- ESPN
The league will have to navigate one of its most complicated set of rule changes with one of its least experienced groups of officials ever.

NFL players' off-field side jobs - Cattlemen, cupcake shops and card game entrepreneurs
Frosting cupcakes. Designing suits. Becoming doctors. Running businesses. Here are the crafts that players are working on outside of football.