Deebo on Radio Row: Lessons from James Harrison (Told to Myles Mohair)
Radio Row during Super Bowl Media Week is where football’s past, present, and future collide. I couldn’t attend this year—I was under 18—but my mom, Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, was there with her camera and a front-row view. When she met James “Deebo” Harrison, the Pittsburgh Steelers legend, she came back with a photo—and a blueprint. What stood out wasn’t the nickname or the highlight reels. It was how he carries himself: precise, disciplined, and completely in control of his tempo.
Who Is James “Deebo” Harrison?
Born in Akron, Ohio (May 4, 1978), James Henry Harrison Jr. is the youngest of 14 children of Mildred and the late James Harrison Sr. The nickname “Deebo”—a nod to the imposing character in Friday—fits the aura he brought to every snap.
Harrison starred at Coventry High School before heading to Kent State University, where he majored in general studies and became a first-team All-MAC outside linebacker. In 2001, he led the MAC with 15.0 sacks and ranked second with 20.0 tackles for loss, finishing third in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Despite all that, he went undrafted in 2002, signed with the Steelers as a rookie free agent, and then lived the hard part of the dream—released four times across Pittsburgh and Baltimore, plus a season with the Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) in 2003. He considered walking away. Then came one more shot in 2004. After making his mark on special teams, he earned his first start on Nov. 14, 2004 (at Cleveland) and logged his first NFL sack—dragging down Jeff Garcia for a three-yard loss. The rest is franchise mythology.
In 2016, in Cleveland of all places, Harrison’s 77.5th sack tied the team mark; he finished that season as the Steelers’ all-time sacks leader and also the Steelers’ all-time postseason sacks leader (11). His signature moment remains the 100-yard interception return in Super Bowl XLIII—a record that still teaches the room about disguise, anticipation, and sheer will.
Career snapshot (highlights):
- 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor inductee
- 2× Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
- 5× Pro Bowl, 2× First-Team All-Pro
- 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year; 2008 NFL Linebacker of the Year
- Steelers all-time sacks record-holder (2016–23)
- NFL Super Bowl record: Longest INT return TD (100 yards)
- 84.5 career sacks, 793 tackles, 34 forced fumbles, 8 interceptions
- Featured in NFL Films’ A Football Life (2021)
Harrison played his 15th and final NFL season in 2017, appearing for both the Steelers and Patriots, and finished his career after Super Bowl LII. He announced his retirement in April 2018, just shy of his 40th birthday.
Beyond the Field: Deebo the Builder
Harrison’s longevity wasn’t luck; it was ritual. Think predawn workouts, recovery as a lifestyle—massage, chiropractic, acupuncture—and a strict nutrition plan. The routine itself became a phenomenon; his training clips earned a semi-cult following online and even landed him in National Geographic (Feb. 2018) for a feature on the future of medicine and recovery.
He’s also a businessman and creator:
- Commercial real estate investor/developer (since 2009)
- DEEBO, LLC → official DeeboGear workout merchandise
- Deebo Workouts app → his strength & conditioning program
- OptimumEFX → sport-certified supplements he backed during his career
On screen and on air, Harrison has popped up across sports and entertainment: HBO’s Hard Knocks, guest turns on daytime and primetime TV (including S.W.A.T.), co-hosting the Pro Football Arm Wrestling Championship on CBS, film appearances like Remember Amnesia (2019), and a series role as a pro wrestler in Heels. He’s been a frequent analyst on national sports shows and FS1 digital platforms.
The HuddleUp Moment: What My Mom Saw on Radio Row
From my mom’s account, Harrison treats every conversation like a rep: no wasted words, no wasted movement. Off camera, he still talks technique—hand placement, leverage, angles—because intimidation is a by-product of detail, not volume. That’s a leadership principle our readers can use whether they’re on the field, in the booth, or building a brand.
Three takeaways for rising creators and athletes:
- Tempo is a choice. Enter the room with your pace and let others adjust.
- Details create reputation. People feel the work you did before they ever meet you.
- Identity travels. Field, studio, boardroom—same core, different stage.
Why This Matters for the Next Generation
We built HuddleUp so young voices—especially girls, including my three sisters—can find pathways beyond the cheer: reporting, content production, sponsorship sales, venue operations, hospitality, and sports-media leadership. Stories like this are more than celebrity encounters; they’re playbooks for how to prepare, show up, deliver, and repeat.
What I’m keeping from this: Mom’s photo is a souvenir; the real gift is the reminder that greatness is portable. The discipline that made Harrison a menace on Sundays makes him incisive on set Monday through Friday. That’s how five minutes on Radio Row becomes momentum that lasts all year.
Editor’s Note
HuddleUp Magazine is an independent media outlet. Coverage of Super Bowl events does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by the NFL or any NFL club.
