The Pittsburgh Steelers selected running back Najee Harris with their first round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Steelers and Harris were doubted with the pick, due to a lot of analysts viewing the need of offensive linemen higher on the priority list. Harris has done a phenomenal job of quieting those doubters in his record-breaking rookie campaign. Harris finished the 2021 season totaling 1,200 rushing yards on 307 carries and 7 touchdowns. He even added 74 receptions (second on the team) for 467 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was the definition of a workhorse running back. In the upcoming 2022 season, Harris has the potential to absolutely run opposing defenses into the ground!
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Even after breaking Steelers legendary running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Franco Harris' rookie rushing record, Harris is still out to prove to himself -- a mentality that started at a young age. In a video recently released by ESPN on Sunday, Harris details how he's preparing for the season inspired by a work ethic that he's had from the beginning!
"I used to sneak into the gym around 6:30-8:00 before school," Harris said in the ESPN video. "You can never take an off day. People might say I might do too much, but I came from nothing, so I already know what it is to be at the bottom. I had to provide for myself at a young age, it was just hard living. But hard living teaches you sometimes the best things in life. I need to work out. It consumes a lot of my life. I need to feel confident in myself. I need to feel like I'm ready to endure a load if it's placed upon me for the Steelers like I did last year."
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Harris will likely carry a large load on his plate again this season as the Steelers quarterbacks are battling it out for QB1. Harris is preparing for whatever load he'll get in the upcoming 2022 season. The workhorse mentality of Harris has been recognized in the most "Steeler Way," by impressing one of the legends that came before him, former Steelers legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, Jerome Bettis.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) participates in 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
"I wouldn't say there's any doubt, but it just creates more, like more wood to the fire, I guess you can say," Harris continued in the clip. "I always want to do better. I always want to be more. I still got to prove going into my second year. I don't want to take anything lightly or for granted. At the end of the day, it's going to be you out on the field, you out training it. I remember where I started and now I'm seeing like, where I'm at now. I believed in myself."
Harris has put in the work by believing in himself and working to be the best player that he can be! The want to be better and be more will help Harris carry a workload for the Steelers offense. If the team will be successful in 2022, the offense will go through #22 and he's fully prepared for that!
Watch the full clip of Harris here:
What are yinz thoughts on the inspirational clip of Harris preparing for the season released by ESPN? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
#SteelerNation
