| Year: | 1961 |
| Team: | Harvard Crimson |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Ivy League |
| Short Conf: | Ivy |
| Record: | 6–3 |
| Conf Record: | 6–1 |
| Head Coach: | John Yovicsin |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Captain: | Alex W. “Pete” Hart |
| Stadium: | Harvard Stadium |
| Champion: | Ivy League co-champion |
The 1961 Harvard Crimson football team was an American football team that represented Harvard University during the 1961 college football season. Harvard was co-champion of the Ivy League.
In their fifth year under head coach John Yovicsin, the Crimson compiled a 6–3 record but and outscored opponents 160 to 97. Alex W. “Pete” Hart was the team captain.[1]
The Crimson's 6–1 conference record tied for best in the Ivy League standings. Harvard shared the title though it had lost to the other co-champion, Columbia, during the season. The Crimson outscored Ivy opponents 143 to 60.[2]
Harvard played its home games at Harvard Stadium in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.