The NFL’s image has taken numerous hits in recent weeks but there are high character guys in the league including Vikings’ safety Harrison Smith who hosted kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities last night at Winter Park.
“There’s obviously not a lot of good PR going (on) all around the league, and I just don’t think that’s reflective of what the majority of the guys in this league are about—the players, the coaches (and) the people,” Smith told Sports Headliners on Sunday. “All these guys care about doing things, care about helping people. I just think the PR is not the truth of what’s going on (with) the majority.”
Smith has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2013, his second year with the Vikings. At last night’s event several teammates joined Smith for activities with the kids that included a kickball game, tours of the team’s practice facility, and player autographs and pictures.
Smith has also been involved with other community activities since joining the Vikings as a first round draft choice out of Notre Dame in 2012. The club emphasizes involvement by players with nonprofits and employs a community relations executive to manage the Vikings’ many projects and events.
Smith was raised by parents who encouraged him to think of others. “My parents kind of always taught me to include everybody in everything,” he said. “I think you gotta do a good job with the youth today, because they’re gonna be the leaders when they grow up.”
Paul Wiggin, a former NFL head coach and now a consultant for the Vikings, knows how Smith was raised. “He hasn’t been idolized. He’s been brought along like a normal human being. I think he’s classy.”
Smith’s play on the field has impressed Wiggin and others. “He’s a great player,” Wiggin said. “He’s better than what we thought he would be and we thought he’d be great.”
Wiggin said the Vikings use colors to label players and blue is elite status. “You have five or six blue players on your football team if you’re lucky—winners do. He’s one of them.”
Smith, 6-2, 215-pounds, has made a difference in the Vikings’ secondary. He can make an impact both with tackling and defending the pass. “He has a little hate in his heart when he plays, even though he’s a great kid.” Wiggin said. “A lot of collision football players in the game today run into people and they don’t go down. This guys brings ‘em down because he wraps them up.”
In the opening game this season Smith returned an interception for a touchdown. It was the third of his career for a touchdown and it tied him for the club record. What are his thoughts about getting the fourth and breaking the tie shared with eight others?
“It would be big (but) that’s not the end-goal.” Smith said. “Right now I just want to win.”
The Vikings are 2-4 after Sunday’s loss to the Lions but part of the positive news was the ankle injury that had made Smith’s availability questionable for the game didn’t keep him from playing. In the locker room following the game he said the ankle was okay.
That doesn’t surprise Smith admirers who know he is a “tough guy” and loves playing football. And enjoys helping others.