Post by shea319now314 on Dec 20, 2016 14:11:14 GMT -5
From the New York Post,Damon Harrison sobbed at the thought of leaving the Jets, but the tears dried up quickly once he realized he didn’t have to go very far.
“They knew [what they had],” said Harrison at his I Told The Storm Foundation’s event helping Toys for Tots in Midtown on Monday night. “It was just a tough year financially for them. I cried, to be honest with you. I didn’t want to leave.”
The 6-foot-4, 350-pound defensive tackle said he made so many friends within the organization, from the janitor to the owner, after being signed as an undrafted free agent by Gang Green in 2012. He called it a great situation for him and a tough decision to leave before signing a five-year, $46.5 million contract with the Giants.
“When I figured out I could just switch locker rooms and walk across the street, I was happy to do that,” Harrison said.
The Giants couldn’t be more pleased either as Harrison, one of the premier run-stoppers in the NFL, has become a cornerstone of a defense that has the team within a win of its first playoff berth in five years. While he is enjoying success with his new club, it is tough to for Harrison – who declined any comment on Jets coach Todd Bowles – to watch his old mates struggle this year.
“I have some guys that I consider family [over there],” Harrison said. “I wish them nothing but the best. Their season hasn’t gone the way that they planned it. There are still guys in that room that I root for.”
While the Jets’ defense has struggled, Harrison already has a career highs with 49 tackles and 1.5 sacks with two games to play for Big Blue. He is part of a unit some consider the best in the NFL right now, but Harrison doesn’t want to label it that.
“Nobody is satisfied with where they are,” he said. “I don’t think we can call ourselves No. 1 because then at that point, what do you have to strive for? We just want to stay hungry and continue to get better.”
Harrison has been a gift that keeps on giving to the Giants, and he is giving back as well. He officially launched his new foundation – which will focus on disadvantaged kids – with an event supporting Toys for Tots, helping to collect unwrapped toys to be given out this holiday season. Harrison grew up in New Iberia, La., and many years did not know if he was going to get presents for Christmas. He said his mother used to work three jobs to provide for his family, so he takes joy in helping kids avoid experiencing what he did.
“It was tough. Some Christmases were better than others,” Harrison said. “Some years, you didn’t know if you were going to get anything. I know how that can feel, being a child and seeing other kids with something you don’t have. Being in the position that I am, I can help out and prevent that.”
“They knew [what they had],” said Harrison at his I Told The Storm Foundation’s event helping Toys for Tots in Midtown on Monday night. “It was just a tough year financially for them. I cried, to be honest with you. I didn’t want to leave.”
The 6-foot-4, 350-pound defensive tackle said he made so many friends within the organization, from the janitor to the owner, after being signed as an undrafted free agent by Gang Green in 2012. He called it a great situation for him and a tough decision to leave before signing a five-year, $46.5 million contract with the Giants.
“When I figured out I could just switch locker rooms and walk across the street, I was happy to do that,” Harrison said.
The Giants couldn’t be more pleased either as Harrison, one of the premier run-stoppers in the NFL, has become a cornerstone of a defense that has the team within a win of its first playoff berth in five years. While he is enjoying success with his new club, it is tough to for Harrison – who declined any comment on Jets coach Todd Bowles – to watch his old mates struggle this year.
“I have some guys that I consider family [over there],” Harrison said. “I wish them nothing but the best. Their season hasn’t gone the way that they planned it. There are still guys in that room that I root for.”
While the Jets’ defense has struggled, Harrison already has a career highs with 49 tackles and 1.5 sacks with two games to play for Big Blue. He is part of a unit some consider the best in the NFL right now, but Harrison doesn’t want to label it that.
“Nobody is satisfied with where they are,” he said. “I don’t think we can call ourselves No. 1 because then at that point, what do you have to strive for? We just want to stay hungry and continue to get better.”
Harrison has been a gift that keeps on giving to the Giants, and he is giving back as well. He officially launched his new foundation – which will focus on disadvantaged kids – with an event supporting Toys for Tots, helping to collect unwrapped toys to be given out this holiday season. Harrison grew up in New Iberia, La., and many years did not know if he was going to get presents for Christmas. He said his mother used to work three jobs to provide for his family, so he takes joy in helping kids avoid experiencing what he did.
“It was tough. Some Christmases were better than others,” Harrison said. “Some years, you didn’t know if you were going to get anything. I know how that can feel, being a child and seeing other kids with something you don’t have. Being in the position that I am, I can help out and prevent that.”