Steelers' Harris advocating for homeless people in California
After experiencing homelessness himself, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris is working to help others in a similar position.
The 23-year-old native of the Bay Area recently met with California Gov. Gavin Newsom to advocate for the homeless in his home state.
"I am not a politician, I am just here to shed light on the situation of (homelessness) and hunger in California," Harris said, according to East County Today. "We are all in position to help; I know I am, (and) of course, these guys up here are.
"Me and my family were once homeless moving around the Bay Area - San Francisco, Richmond, Pinole, Hercules, Sacramento, I mean the list goes on and on. But we were evicted numerous times and had to stay in homeless shelters, friends' houses, cars. But as family, we stuck together and made it through these tough times.
"Now I am in position to help people who were once in my shoes."
Harris, selected 24th overall by the Steelers in this year's draft, returned to the Bay Area homeless shelter where he once lived in April to throw a draft party.
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
Harris has also started his own non-profit called the Da' Bigger Picture Foundation, which assists underserved families.