Miami Roots Important for CB Harris

Growing up in Liberty City, Florida, one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods in Miami, Houston Texans’ cornerback Brandon Harris has always wanted to improve the community. His high-profile position as an NFL cornerback and the income he earns from being a professional athlete has enabled him to go back home and make good on that vision.

“I do a lot of camps and a lot of school giveaways for the holidays and everything, so we’re deeply involved in the community,” he said. In fact, right before Texans’ training camp started, he held the second annual “Brandon Harris ‘No Fly Zone’ Youth League 7 on 7 Flag Football Camp Championship Series.” With former University of Miami teammates and South Florida residents like the Chiefs’ DeMarcus Van Dyke, the Patriots’ Marcus Forston, and the Steelers Sean Spence participating, the event has benefited Florida youngsters in not only getting proper athletic training, but also learning sportsmanship and the skills necessary to succeed in life’s endeavors.

Making Impact in Community

As a youngster, Harris saw some of the local businesses in Liberty City shut down and it made an indelible impression on him. It gave him entrepreneurial thoughts and the urge to start up businesses in the community someday, something he still wants to do. “I was a business major in school,” he said about his time at the University of Miami. “So I want to use my business degree to go back and open up a few things back home and get things rolling.”

When his career is over, he said he looks forward to returning to Miami and “staying strong in the community, doing a host of different things with my dad and my brothers down there.” His dad (Tim Harris Sr.), by the way, coached fellow Houston Texans’ wide receiver Andre Johnson at Miami Central High School.

“I knew Andre growing up,” Harris said, recalling that he first met Andre when he was about 6-years-old. “It was fun being drafted here and being able to play alongside him.”  He also feels going up against an elite receiver like Andre in practice has helped him to hone his defensive skills. “It makes you better as a corner. When you get to the game on Sundays, it should be a lot easier.”

New Coordinator, New Opportunities

As for his own progression as a corner in what can be characterized as an up and down career to this point, Harris is ready for his opportunity in Romeo Crennel’s scheme. “Last year I played nickel and slot and everything, and I didn’t get to play outside,” he said. “Primarily playing outside this year is going to be a big challenge for me.”

Still, his play on the field is all relative when compared to the grandiose dreams he harbors for his community when his playing days are over. When Harris proclaims helping his hometown community through charitable efforts and entrepreneurial activity is important to him, he is just not dishing out the rhetoric, but working hard to make it happen.

-R.G. Seal