Najee Harris didn’t take an erroneous comment about his hardscrabble upbringing lying down, prompting an ESPN broadcast to apologize for his mistake.
ESPN play-by-play voice Steve Levy told an anecdote about the rookie running back during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 29-27 victory against the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
He referenced Harris’ time being homeless while growing up in the San Francisco bay area, and related it to the running back’s transition to college.
“Even when he got to Alabama on a full ride, got the fancy dorm room, he spent the first few months in Alabama sleeping on the floor,” Levy said. “He said he’s just more comfortable, more used to that.”
The problem was, Levy confused Harris’ story with that of former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs.
After the game, Harris took to Twitter to clarify that he never slept on the floor at Alabama.
“Bra I ain’t sleep on no dam floor in college. I slept on my bed,” Harris tweeted.
Bra I ain’t sleep on no dam floor in college. I slept on my bed
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) November 9, 2021
Levy offered an apology Tuesday afternoon.
“I got this part wrong Najee, my mistake,” Levy tweeted back to Harris. “Your story is inspirational & mission to positively impact is admirable. I’ll be donating to the Da’ Bigger Picture Foundation and encourage others to help Najee’s greater purpose where they can.”
I got this part wrong Najee, my mistake. Your story is inspirational & mission to positively impact is admirable.
— Steve Levy (@espnSteveLevy) November 9, 2021
I’ll be donating to the Da' Bigger Picture Foundation and encourage others to help Najee’s greater purpose where they can.https://t.co/GlbxzRfXSD
The foundation was set up by Harris and focuses on education and homelessness while “assisting underserved families in reaching their potential and goals,” according to its website.
Levy, 56, is in his second season as the primary play-by-play caller for Monday Night Football along with analysts Louis Riddick and Brian Griese.
