Interview with Raymont Harris, NFL Player, Motivational Speaker and Author

Recently, I received the opportunity to interview Raymont Harris, former Ohio State and NFL star, who is also a big Cleveland Guardians’ fan.

First, a story… in 1995 after the Browns left town, I looked around for an NFL team to root for and I landed on another midwest team that plays in cold weather and was known for smashmouth football in the Chicago Bears. I immediately latched on to a young running back on the team who had played at my favorite college, Ohio State (I was born and raised in Columbus and my dad went to school there for a couple years) named Raymont Harris, also known as the Ultraback and the Quiet Storm.

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In 1996, Harris (in my first full season as a Bears’ fan) put up 1,044 scrimmage yards and then in 1997 he followed it up with 1,148 scrimmage yards, including over 1,000 yards running the ball.

As a 12 year-old, I wrote Harris a fan letter just expressing how much I enjoyed watching him play and wishing him the best in the upcoming season. Harris wrote me back a personal letter with an autographed photo I immediately framed and still have on my wall. I am not really an autograph collector, but what that interaction showed me is that I could genuinely root for athletes who would genuinely appreciate my support. It proceeded to launch me on an enriching experience of rooting for my favorite teams, including the Guardians, Buckeyes, Bears, Cavs and (despite their best attempts to ruin it!) the Browns. I doubt I would be running this fun blog and writing about sports without the little boost of confidence Raymont Harris provided me in giving such a kind and personal response to my letter.

Fast forward almost 30 years, Harris is an internationally recognized motivational speaker who has just this past month published his first book called “Control the Controllables” and was kind enough to respond to some questions about his book, including some connections to our current Cleveland Guardians’ team. Our conversation is below:

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Thank you for agreeing to talk to us. Can you explain a little about your Background and connection to Ohio and the Cleveland Guardians?

Ohio built me. Period.
Lorain, Ohio put the edge in me. Ohio State sharpened it. Playing in the NFL tested it.

I’ve always connected with Cleveland teams because they don’t get handed anything. The Guardians especially. They’re not about flash. They’re about development, discipline, and surviving long seasons without flinching. That’s familiar to me. That’s Ohio. That’s how I learned to move in the world.

Why should we read “Control the Controllables?”

This book isn’t for hype.
It’s for moments when pressure shows up and motivation isn’t enough.

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I wrote it after realizing that talent, work ethic, and good intentions don’t protect you from doubt or identity loss when things break. The book gives people something more solid than confidence. It gives them control. Clear places to aim their energy when everything else feels uncertain.

When you look at the Cleveland Guardians, how do you see them “controlling the controllables”?

The Guardians don’t panic when things tighten up.

They don’t chase trends or overreact. They invest in fundamentals, develop talent, and trust it longer than most people are comfortable with. José Ramírez doesn’t waste energy on noise. He prepares, competes, responds, repeats. That’s controlling the controllables over a long season.

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In brief, can you summarize your primary advice for leaders and organizations?

Most leaders burn themselves out trying to control outcomes they don’t own.

The shift is simple, but uncomfortable: control your preparation, your standards, and your response when things don’t go your way. When those are clear and consistent, results stop being the obsession and start becoming the byproduct.

What is the best way to purchase your book?

Control the Controllables: Mindset, Pressure, and the Power of Control is widely available, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
At the moment, Barnes & Noble appears to have faster delivery.

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Barnes & Noble link.
Amazon link.

Thank you to Mr. Harris for his time and his insight! I encourage you all to consider following him via your favorite social media platform (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube), checking out his website, and purchasing his book. (Neither I nor SB Nation received any renumeration for this article).