Instead of shaking Roger Goodell’s hand in Cleveland during the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29, former Alabama running back Najee Harris hosted a large gathering at a homeless shelter in Oakland to celebrate his first-round selection as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new running back, according to CBS Sports.
Hours before being the 24th overall pick, Harris visited Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, where he, his mother and his four siblings lived when Harris was 12 years old, according to the news outlet. He returned to the shelter to include those living there as part of his special day. Harris bought pizza, cupcakes and other goodies to share with the children and staff at the shelter draft party.
Although it was an emotional time for him and his mother to visit, Najee’s biggest reason for doing all of this was to raise awareness for homelessness and extend support to those facing the same hardships he and his family once had.
“I wanted to make sure that I could give back to the community and show them if y’all still need anything; I’m never too big or too whatever to help you guys out. I’m always going to be the helping hand,” he said in a statement, according to the news outlet.
Whatever team drafts Alabama’s Najee Harris is getting a special person. Today he threw a draft party for kids at the homeless shelter where he lived for several years growing up. He told me it was emotional the first time he went back to visit. @kron4news #NFLDraft #RollTide pic.twitter.com/JadBIFh4pd
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) April 30, 2021
Kathleen Sullivan, executive director of the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, told ABC, “Just to see him as a grown man with this kind of opportunity for him today and to know that he lived in this shelter among many other places their family had to move around and lives as a homeless man just speaks to the anything is possible.”
The Steeler’s are getting an exceptional and talented addition to their team.
