Competition at an early age has the power to build character and it did so for one of the greatest receivers in Arena Football League history.
For Chicago Rush wide receiver Damian Harrell, raised in football-rich Miami, Florida, competition with great athletes allowed him to develop into the standout player that he is today.
“Growing up in Miami is what taught me hard work,” said Harrell. “The talent level there is crazy. Growing up and playing football in the area taught me that if I wanted something, I was going to have to work hard for it.”
Hard work has taken Harrell a long way.
Harrell, in his 10th year in the Arena Football League, is the League’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions (307) and ranks third all-time in receptions (933) and receiving yards (12,472).
Before signing with Mike Ditka’s Chicago Rush this offseason, Harrell spent six years playing for John Elway’s Colorado Crush.
Elway, co-owner of the Crush and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, said of Harrell, “he has the best hands I’ve ever seen in a receiver.”
Harrell began playing football at the age of seven and credits his older brother for getting him into football.
“My older brother was into sports so it was a no-brainer,” says Harrell.
Playing football at such a young age also shaped Harrell into the man he is today. He benefited from mentoring that exists on every youth football field.
“I was one of the lucky ones,” responded the Chicago wide receiver. “Most of my coaches when I was younger were police officers so their teachings were about a lot more than football. They helped us prepare for life off of the field as much as life on the field.”
The importance of such role models is not lost on Harrell.
“I was blessed to be in such a good situation from an early age. That helped me a lot for when I became older.”
Harrell played multiple positions during his youth football years, including quarterback, running back and cornerback in addition to his current position, wide receiver.
“Towards the end of my youth football career is when I really found my niche, which came at the wide receiver position.”
Harrell understands the values children can learn from hard work but also wants them to have fun.
“I’d just tell kids to enjoy it. I wish I could go back to those days. Just enjoy it because you can’t get it back.”
With memories like youth football under the Florida sun, who wouldn’t want to go back to those days?
Damian Harrell can be seen on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday, April 14th on ESPN2 at 8:30 P.M. ET when the Chicago Rush (4-2) take on the Kansas City Brigade (0-5)