On the latest livestream episode of “Listen In With KNN” a sports talk radio show and podcast presented by Fox Sports Radio 1340 AM/96.9 FM, executive producer and host Kelsey Nicole Nelson welcomed three-time Super Bowl champion and NFL linebacker, Darius Harris, to the show.
Relatively new to the DMV area but true to the football field, Harris played football at Horn Lake High School, in Horn Lake, Miss. as a quarterback and receiver. He also played defense while attending Middle Tennessee State University.
“They did a wonderful job surrounding me with good coaches who pushed me to be a great player at Middle Tennessee State,” he said. “Furthermore, it pushed me to be a better person.”
After graduating in 2019, Harris signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Now, he has won three Super Bowls with the reigning champs.
“I would have never imagined this would happen and that kind of just gave me the gratitude and the humbleness to understand. I’m blessed,” Harris said.
He finished two football camps, one at University Academy and the other at his alma mater with Nakobe Dean, a standout linebacker and fellow Horn Lake local. The kids asked various questions, including pay transparency and who runs faster between Harris and Dean. Harris plans to hold more football camps and launch the Darius Harris Foundation to support kids in the classroom.
“I’ve been fortunate and blessed enough to make a career out of sports playing football at the professional level,” he said. “But as a guy who was overlooked in high school and maybe college, you also have to have a backup plan.”
Harris talked about some of his inspirations that led him to where he is. In high school, he looked up to Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Sean Taylor and Ronnie Lott. When he switched to linebacker, he looked up to Ray Lewis and London Fletcher. Nelson asked about what switching and playing different positions was like. Harris said it took a bit of adjusting and a lot of trust in people with experience in the career for it to go smoothly.
“I had coaches with tons of experience who thought with my size and athletic ability, ‘Hey, you would be a nice size for a linebacker.’ Were you telling me that I was too slow for safety, or what? I mean, it worked out in my favor.”
Nelson asked Harris how Middle Tennessee’s football team prepared him for the NFL. He said the coaches taught him life lessons, like focusing on the main thing and keeping things realistic when it comes to life after college.
“Yes, we would all love to get drafted and play at the next level,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, your degree, nobody can take that from you.”
Then, Nelson asked Harris how winning his third ring after five years in the league felt. Harris said it was unexpected, especially after spending his rookie season on the bench. Even though his first Super Bowl win was in 2020, Harris couldn’t play due to a shoulder injury.
The Chiefs won the 2023 Super Bowl, marking Harris’ second win, with the 2024 Super Bowl being his third. He said the moment hit him when he saw everyone suited up for the ring ceremony in Kansas City.
“Those guys that you come in with who put blood, sweat and tears into the game and to be able to come out on top,” he said. “To see them, their family and everybody all dressed up, it was good.”
Harris emphasized staying grounded and positive amidst challenges and leaving a legacy for his sons to be proud of. The two boys got to see their dad win the Super Bowl twice. Confetti surrounded them as fans in the crowds were cheering.
“As kids, that’s something that’ll live with and be very appreciative of once they’re older and understand the magnitude of their moment,” Harris said.
To hear the whole conversation, listen to the episode below!
