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By the age 23, most African-American males living in an urban, drug-infested neighborhood are documented to not see 23. And if they are alive, jail is considered their second home by the time they reach 18. NFL Buffalo Bills Linebacker NIC HARRIS beat the odds and continues the legacy of a living testament. 

Chantal Borgella got the opportunity to sit and parlay with Nic Harris. We spoke about his greatest achievement, his nonprofit organization – Team Nic Harris, his love for his grandmother and where he sees himself in the future.

Where are you from?                                                                               

Alexandria, Louisiana.

At 23, you’re doing major things. How did you come about to achieving your goals?

First and foremost, I want to give credit to my grandmother who I thank for my success. Secondly, it’s all in a state of mind. It’s a state being. God gives you an ability and a talent and it’s to you to determine how you use it.

And you did it all without the help of you parents. You’re LEGALLY separated from your parents, how did you feel about the disconnection? 

I’ve been a product of a broken home. I had a choice in life when life is a baseball game and you’re in a third inning and life throws you a curve ball. It’s either you’re going to swing or you’re going to go down looking. Disconnecting from my parents, I did it at the age of 15. I wanted to show that I am my own man. I can only thank my grandmother for just being there whenever I had no one else.

While soul searching, did you ever feel that you were making a mistake by leaving aspects of your life behind?

I never looked back. Whenever I walked out, I closed that door and I’ve never looked back. That is the way I choose to live my life. I understand right now by looking at my viewpoint of my parents, me raising my daughter now, I know everything that a parent should not do.

Where does your mission statement “I want to plant a seed of whose shade I may never sit” stem from?

It stems from me growing up in rural Louisiana and no one went back to give me that vision to sit down and direct my path. I try to reach the masses via Twitter, Facebook and my Tumblr. I heard a saying, “if I only reach one then I’ve done my job,” but I feel that if better is available then good is not good enough. What I want to do is try to reach more than that one. I want to reach as many people as I possibly can because no one really came back and instilled that within me.

 Train hard….  My saying is to feed your vision and starve your fear.

How did you feel being drafted in 2009?

It was an emancipation, per se. I felt that I was freeing myself in the confines of living in the slums, the ghetto, the hood. I was granted the opportunity to provide for my family. God willing, I continue to live on the legacy and continue to do those things especially provide for my daughter, who is the light of my life.

What type of regiment would you suggest for those looking into a football career?

To train and to train hard. For everyone that has ill sayings about what you’re trying to do and what you’re trying to accomplish, my saying is to feed your vision and starve your fear.

 If you weren’t playing football, what would you be doing?

I probably would be in my degree field. If not, an entrepreneur, releasing my denim line. My denim line will come out early 2011. It’s called “M.O.I. (My Own Identity). It’s made from organic Japanese cotton. A lot of different affiliations for different things.

What did you do for your off season?

I did a lot of traveling. I attended a lot of different events. I went to the Grammys. Unfortunately I had that one off-season surgery with my knee. I’m recovering extremely well. I am unable to physically perform. Hopefully in August, I will be able to perform again. Just trying to enjoy the fruits of my labor and spend as much time with my daughter as I possibly can. I also travel to different course of the world to see different things I didn’t get to see when I as younger.

What was your biggest challenge on the field?

The biggest challenge was the transition of playing Safety in college and playing Linebacker in the NFL. It was a major transition and preparing my body. I had to mentally prepare to take on the wear and tear.

You’re a Big Brother, what made you join that organization?

Because I don’t have a big brother. I’m the oldest of 9. At the end of the day I try to plant a seed to raise my brothers and sisters. But if I can plant a seed and help as many people that is what I want to do. I want to guide people to become successful and enjoy the fruit of their labor. I try to come back home to motivate people. I want to show them that I am from the same streets that they are from.

As you were growing up, were there ever times you felt like giving up?

All the time. Growing up was extremely hard. Once again I have to  thank my grandmother. She is the architect to my life. It is extremely hard because you think that you are not wanted. Do you know the feeling of feeling that you are not wanted and even your own parents don’t want you? Everyone that know me can tell you that I should not be where I am. But I am here and I am living testament. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

What advice would you give to those who are ready to throw in the towel?

To continue to push. At the end of the day, you never know when your breakthrough is going to come.

What is your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is telling my daughter no.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

Being able to produce a beautiful daughter. No accolades that I accomplish can ever coincide.

 Are you single?

Yes. I am extremely single. I am a single father.

What can we look forward to seeing with your Team Nic Harris Foundation?

A lot of activism and a lot of philantrophy. You will see a lot of helping. You will see a lot of partnerships. I work with Water for Life Foundation. They’re providing for Haiti and Africa. I am working with United Way. In college I was the President of African American Student Organization. You will see a lot of helping.

 How are you able to influence young adults?

Living by example of walking the walk and talking the talk. I apply myself of being cut from a different fabric. I don’t adhere of the compound of America. I am me and I am special. I will let my light shine, no matter what.

What would you tell young adults pursuing their dreams?

At the end of the day no matter what people tell you, you can or can’t do and no matter how you feel at time, whatever profession you are doing, someone on the other side of the world is training harder than you.

Who’s your favorite rapper?

Lil Wayne. He is the illest rapper to do it.

 By: -Chantal Borgella