So many times we hear of college athletes spending their NIL money on all sorts of ridiculousness, but Derrick Harmon used his in a completely different way.
The former Oregon Duck was drafted 21st overall last night by my Pittsburgh Steelers, and while I thought we were potentially going to get a quarterback, this dude looks like an absolute stud on the the field. But off the field there’s no question; this is hands down a great man.
Harmon’s mother had a bad stroke at the end of his freshman, start of sophomore year of college, while he was playing at Michigan State, close to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. The stoke left her paralyzed on her left side, making it very tough for her to get around without serious assistance.
Before the Big Ten Championship, where the Duck’s beat my Penn State Nittany Lions (I guess we’ll forgive him now), the Big Ten Network ran a short special on the bond he has with his mother:
Last night was even more bittersweet than that championship game, though.
Yes, he was drafted by one of the leagues most legendary franchises. Yes, it mean that most likely he and his family will have generational money and opportunities that are out of reach for 99% of the population.
But his mother wasn’t able to be at his draft part with him because she was in the hospital on life-support.
While details are sparse on the exact reason why (as they should be, no reason for us to be talking about her situation like that), immediately after he was drafted, Harmon raced over to the hospital to tell his mom that he’d been drafted.
On a phone call with Pittsburgh-based WPXI, he told everyone about the situation while fighting back tears:
“It’s truly a blessing. It was a little bittersweet man, my mom wasn’t with me, she’s at the hospital right now on life-support, so after I get off the phone with you guys I’m gonna head straight to the hospital and tell her her son got drafted”
I got all emotional just listening to that… I literally cannot imagine what he was going through and will still be going through as his mom quite literally fights for her life.
It’s pretty obvious that his mom is the biggest part of his life. Before the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoffs quarterfinal, he was asked by the media what he purchased with his NIL money and the answer just goes to show, yet again, how great of a guy he is.
I might not have the quote exactly right here because there was a lot of background noise in the clip, but this is about correct:
“I bought my mom a car… She had a stroke my freshman year. So I was able to get a van that’s accessible. They could put a wheelchair in the van.”
My heart is actually aching for Derrick Harmon and his family. I’m sending my prayers to them and hope that whatever is best is done. Without a question, I can say that I welcome Derrick Harmon to the Pittsburgh Steelers family with open arms.
