August has been a good month for the Harrison family.
Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. was born on Aug. 25, 1972, and began a 13-season career with the Indianapolis Colts 24 years later after being the 19th overall pick in the 1996 draft.
Six years later, Marvin Jr. was born on Aug. 11, only two weeks shy of Marvin Sr.’s 30th birthday.
Now, the circle is complete as “junior” was selected with the fourth selection in this year’s draft by the Arizona Cardinals and this week will practice for two days and play against Marvin Sr.’s former team.
“It is kind of crazy,” Marvin Jr. said prior to Wednesday’s practice. “The first joint practice against the Colts. Who would’ve thought that? It’s definitely really special and I’m glad to be here and get to work.”
Adding a nice touch Wednesday was former Colts and Cardinals running back Edgerrin James visiting practice. James (yes, the fourth overall choice in the 1999 draft and whose birthday is Aug. 1) played seven seasons with the Colts from 1999-2005, then three for the Cardinals before ending his Hall of Fame career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2009. Harrison Sr. was also present.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Wednesday, “For a rookie, he’s a pro’s pro. He tries to get better every day. He keeps his head down and handles his business. He’s excited to play (here) for the reasons that you would think.”
Gannon lauded how “consistent his day-to-day is. Normally, first-year guys, you kinda help them along with that, of consistency and self-awareness and he doesn’t need much help with those things. Obviously, on the field that takes care of itself, but I’m more impressed with him off the field, how he goes about his business. It’s been really cool to watch.”
That can be traced to how Harrison has said his father taught him “how to be professional.”
Harrison is hopeful of playing more than the three snaps he had against the Saints Saturday. He has never played in Lucas Oil Stadium, but was present in Nov. 2011 when his father was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor.
Smiling often during his media session, Harrison said, “My dream was always to do this. I always thought I’d be here. I made it at this point, with my own path. I just want to work hard and see where it takes me.”
But what about all the Colts apparel he built up over the years?
It was “a lot,” he said, but added, “I outgrew all of it.”
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