Athletes shouldn’t be criticized for being real, genuine to public
But James did not pose with his fishing poles; he posed with two handguns. Next we get to see Harrison posing with his children, which provides a fantastic contrast to the gun-toting image we saw a page earlier.
The honesty and realness Harrison provides is a rare quality in image conscience, attention-seeking top athletes. We have guys like Brian Wilson, Chad Ochocinco and Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) goofing around with reality shows and constant antics, but they rarely mean anything. Harrison gave us a genuine glimpse into his life. It's lucrative on the exterior, but he is not happy. He has his demons. All the great ones do — Michael Jordan was still ripping the guy who made the cut ahead of him in high school during his Hall of Fame speech. At the age of 33 in the midst of a $51.75 million dollar deal, Harrison's drive will make him great.
Harrison came out of Kent State undrafted. He was cut four times before he received a full-time opportunity with the Steelers. Harrison grew up in a strict two-parent household as the youngest of 14 brothers and sisters.
Harrison was fined more than $100,000 last season. He voiced his anger toward Roger Goodell by calling him names including crook, puppet, stupid and devil. Harrison said he would not piss out the flames if Goodell were on fire. He said Goodell should start a flag football league. We see an All-Pro, Defensive MVP, Superbowl Champion player in the middle of a lucrative contract and wonder why he is so angry. It's because of that past — Harrison has worked incredibly hard to get where he is. Now his livelihood is being threatened.
Harrison is bald and said that in high school, he took off his helmet and told his opponents before football games that they were going to die. Harrison knew he loved football when he figured out at 10 years old he could crush a guy and have no repercussions from his mother.
The NFL does not guarantee player contracts because there aren't too many Harrisons. There are too many JaMarcus Russells and Albert Haynesworths — guys who come, get paid and stop trying. Harrison attacked the commissioner of the NFL, and even though parts of it were out of line, the attitude, drive and passion that lead to his rant is everything that's right about the NFL.
The stars sitting on the beach during the lockout should hear Harrison and start getting in shape. Harrison is still training hard during the lockout, and he's going to crush the guys that are physically dropping off whenever the season starts.
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