The Steelers running back is excelling on and off the field and continues to give back to his community. With his philanthropic work making news, here’s more on Najee Harris’ parents, including mom Tianna Hicks and dad Curt Harris.
Najee Harris is a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. He was selected 24th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Harris played his high-school football at Antioch High School in Antioch, California.
Against the Broncos on 10 October, the 23-year-old recorded 122 yards on 23 carries and a rushing touchdown. He became the first Steelers rookie to score a rushing touchdown and record 100 yards rushing on his first five games since Franco Harris in 1972. On 4 January, he also surpassed another of Franco Harris’ records. But are the two related? Here’s more on Najee Harris’ family, parents and personal life.
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Is Najee Harris related to Franco Harris?
Najee Harris recently broke Franco Harris’ franchise rookie rushing record during a Monday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns.
Najee Harris rushed for 984 yards through 15 games, and broke the record with a 30-yard run on the Steelers’ first possession of the second half. The record has stood since 1972 when offensive rookie of the year Franco Harris rushed for 1,055 yards in 14 games.
After the achievement fans wanted to know whether Najee Harris is related to Franco Harris. However, although they share the same surname and played for the same franchise, they are not related.
Najee Harris’ upbringing and ties to homeless shelter
Najee Harris recently made the news after the running back and his family helped out a homeless shelter where they once lived.
The football star is from the San Francisco Bay Area. Harris’ mom is Tianna Hicks, who raised him and his four siblings as a single mother.
Before his family moved to Antioch, Harris and his family lived in a homeless shelter. That homeless shelter was at the Greater Richmond (California) Interfaith Program (GRIP).
Harris operates his own non-profit organisation, Da’ Bigger Picture Foundation. Harris, his mom Tianna and many volunteers recently returned to GRIP to help renovate the shelter.
According to ESPN, they provided new carpet, appliances, a computer, a grill, a rock wall, a playground, landscaping, pavers in the parking lot and a fresh coat of paint.
“I found out I could help people, my story could help people – or it will make them feel like they’re not alone in a way,” Harris said.
The youngster has always been involved at GRIP. On the day of the 2021 NFL Draft, he opted to host a party for the children at GRIP instead of going to the event.
He handed out pizza, drinks and dessert to children and watched the draft at a nearby restaurant.
Harris’ parents – his father Curt Harris
Harris was brought up in a low-income family.
His parents, Tianna Hicks (mom) and Curt Harris (father), struggled to protect their children from crime and gangs from the East Oakland area.
Curt Harris was a construction worker but eventually moved back to his home town of Seattle. It is thought Najee no longer has a relationship with his father.
Mom Tinna Hicks and her sacrifices for Najee
Najee and his four siblings were raised by their mom, Tianna Hicks. She worked long hours as a medical assistant and did all she could to provide for her children.
That included taking Najee to football practice and encouraging him to follow his dreams.
Najee is still extremely close to his mom and has posted thankful messages to her on Instagram. Tianna is also on Instagram @5downimout.
Hicks was also recently at GRIP to help her son out with the renovations.
She told ESPN: “It’s very rewarding, and it’ll make you feel very empowered to know I can do something to change things.
“It makes a big difference now, because you don’t speak when you’re homeless. You’re too focused on trying to make sure you have a place to stay that night for your family. Trying to make sure you can feed them that evening. How am I going to get to school, to work tomorrow?
“So, being able now to come back and say, ‘These are some things that I know these families are going to need,’ it changes things. That’s why I want to tackle this so much more, because I see differently now.”
Does Najee have a girlfriend?
Fans also want to know whether Najee Harris has a girlfriend.
It appears he’s single at the moment and has no notable relationships from the past. It seems Najee is focused on giving back to the community and his football career right now. How proud must his mom be?
