Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fire Executive Following DUI Arrest
By Phil Watson
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t wait long to move after director of player development Isaiah Harris was arrested for DUI Thursday morning, firing Harris later the same day.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers responded quickly to new that director of player development Isaiah Harris had been arrested early Thursday morning in Tampa, Fla., on suspicion of driving under the influence, firing Harris later on Thursday.
According to a statement released through their official website, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said:
"“Every member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is held to a high standard. This type of incident, particularly for someone whose primary responsibilities are to mentor and develop our players off the field, cannot be tolerated. Due to the nature of his position and the expectations placed on our staff, we made the organizational decision to part ways with Isaiah.”"
Harris was in his first year with the Buccaneer organization after spending seven years with the Chicago Bears in the same role.
According to TBO.com, citing a Tampa Police Department arrest report, Harris was arrested at 2:06 a.m. outside a Taco Bell in Tampa after he rear-ended a car while going through the restaurant’s drive-thru window.
Harris reportedly refused to take a blood-alcohol test but police detected clues of possible impairment that included an abnormal lack of alertness, watery and bloodshot eyes and a distinct odor of alcohol on Harris’ breath.
According to the Buccaneers’ media guide, Harris’ role with the franchise was to provide players with “guidance and support” in five core areas, including career development, career transition, continuing education, financial education and player assistant services.
Harris played collegiately at Division II St. Cloud State in Minnesota from 1997-2001 and worked two different stints with the Vikings (2000-02 and 2004-07) before joining the Bears.