James Harrison is just like you and me … kinda.
James Harrison has to be one of the best follows on Instagram, period. When he’s not playing medicine ball volleyball, hip thrusting over 700 pounds of steel or pushing absurd amounts of weight on a sled, he’s mowing the lawn.
On Aug. 22, Harrison proved he is the ultimate team player. After one of his insane workouts, he put the team first and went and took care of the grounds. Harrison went over to the practice field, hopped on a lawn mower and went to work.
I don’t know if he was covering for a groundskeeper who got stuck in traffic or what, but he was mowing the lawn. Whatever the reason, I’m glad they got it on video. Check it out.
It didn’t take long for the team to join in on the fun. Shortly after Harrison posted the video, the official Pittsburgh Steelers Instagram page reposted the video. They added the line, “The more you can do.”
At the very least, the 39-year-old linebacker is proving himself to be a fantastic leader to the (much) younger players on the roster. He’s showing them they should be team-first players like him.
Players should really follow in Harrison’s example
Being a team player has certainly worked out for Harrison. He will have earned almost $45 million from his time in the NFL if he plays out his current contract. All but $1.4 million of that comes from the Steelers, proving dedication pays off.
Hopefully, the young players learn other lessons from Harrison. If an NFL player has a contract that will keep them paid through age 40, they must have something to say. For Harrison, his secret is spending $350,000 a year on what he calls “body work.”
This includes things like acupuncture, massages, chiropractic work, a fitness trainer and doctoral work. This work is all done by three masseurs, a masseuse, a couple of doctors, a trainer, a couple of acupuncturists and a chiropractor.
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While his age is always creeping upwards, his on-field production doesn’t look like something you would see from a relatively ancient NFL player. According to Pro Football Reference, in 2016 he compiled 54 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and an interception between the regular season and the playoffs.
Seriously, though. If you don’t follow the five-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champ on Instagram, you’re missing out.