The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is seeing a new person taking on the leadership role for this "new era" going into the 2022 season. Steelers RB Najee Harris was selected with the team's first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There were many doubters when the team made their decision, because many thought the team had other needs that needed to be addressed prior to the Steelers addressing the running back position. Harris has worked hard to prove doubters wrong, and his strong work ethic stems from a mentality that was engrained in him from facing adversity at an early age.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris participates in 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Harris sat down on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor and spoke about several topics in the episode released Tuesday afternoon, including facing constant adversity. Clark mentioned that Harris' life has always been a series of pivots.
"Every corner, every time I wake up, man, it's always a pivot," Harris responded on the podcast.
Clark asked Harris to tell viewers how he grew up to give fans some insight into Harris' upbringing.
"Shoot man, I'm from the Bay Area," Harris stated. "You know, I probably grew up, I lived in Oakland a little, where Marshawn [Lynch] and all of thems from. Then, I move around. I couldn't really find a stable home." Harris continued to name off a catalog of several places that he resided in near the Bay Area while growing up. "And then I finally kind of settled down in Antioch, California. I spent like four years there and that's where I went to high school at and that's where I kind of made my name at."
Antioch High School star running back Najee Harris vaults over Falcon defender Jared Rodgers, 22 as the Panthers take on Freedom High School on Fri. Oct 7, 2016, in Oakley, California. Credit: Michael Macor / The Chronicle 2016
Clark then asked the Steelers' running back: "I think people bring up, obviously because of where you threw your draft party, living in shelters. What was that like for you and your loved ones?"
"It was tough times, but like you said, man, pivot," Harris answered. "I was at the pivot. So it was a tough time, especially during that time, too, man. It was a rough time. So people kind of think I act different, well it's because this environment I was raised around, you kind of got to adjust to what it is there. So some stuff never left me. When people see me doing interviews or say how I act a little, 'like, man, you don't care, you act in certain ways.' It's just, I'm a product of my environment, as people say, right? Ain't that what people say?""So, it was tough times, but there was always some good times in those tough times. I'm not fortunate enough like others to have certain things, but I made the best of what I had. Always out playing sports, hooping. You might have the best food, but I still to this day eat Top Ramen. That's my go to dish right there, no matter what. I ate some last night, man. I love it. It's, like, soothing to me. Humble beginning, it was cool, man," Harris finished.
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Even though Harris faced the tough challenges of bouncing around to different areas and living in a homeless shelter, he always was optimistic. He appreciates the tough times because they made him who he is today.
Crowder asked Harris if he feels like he'd be who he is, today, without facing all of the adversity early on in his life.
"Nah," the Steelers' star running back stated very matter-of-factly. "I would not be who I am because I don't think people haven't really found out who they really are unless they're challenged somewhere in life, you know what I mean? So, man, I guess I was blessed enough to get challenged right when I came out the wound."
Check out the full episode below!
What do yinz think about the Steelers' new offensive leader Najee Harris and his personal story that has made him into the leader that he is today? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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