NFL Rookie Comes Home To Visit

NY Jets DT Damon Harrison was in Oskaloosa recently and cheered on the Statesmen Saturday.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Coming home to visit can be bitter-sweet.

New York Jets six foot four and three hundred and fifty pound Damon Harrison was back home in Oskaloosa to see his family and kids, and to also be home with his other family, the Statesmen of William Penn.

Harrison, in his rookie year with the New York Jets, has had to work hard and earn his way onto the roster, since he wasn’t drafted. Harrison made his NFL debut on Monday night football versus the Texans, where he caught the attention of the TV commentators.

The Jet walked out with his former team at the start of Saturday’s game. “Any time I can come back and catch a William Penn game. I love it man. I miss being out here with the family and the guys.”

The game didn’t end up the way Harrison and the Statesmen had hoped it would, but Harrison was happy just to be on the sideline. “”Being on the sideline again, it’s been over a year since I’ve been here. It’s bitter-sweet because we lost the game, but just being around the guys, you know it’s something I can’t get anywhere else. ”

Many times, watching a college game, the speed of the game is so much faster than watching a high school football game, and Harrison says that comparison translates to the NFL as well.

“It’s totally different. The speed of the game, the size of the guys, the amount of work you have to do off the field as well as on the field.”

Harrison attributes his success to hard work and some lessons from William Penn Head Coach Todd Hafner. “Hafner always taught us to work hard. Never give up, keep working, keep working. That’s something I’ve taken with me to the NFL and it’s something I will never forget.”

Harrison and his family still call Oskaloosa home. He said that flying back and forth hasn’t really been an option because of the work schedule that is required. Harrison says, “we’re working six days a week ” and says this is his first time back in Oskaloosa since June.

Harrison was in town because of the Jets bye week (week off), and he says that during the off-season he will be back in Oskaloosa.

Harrison communicates every evening with his kids via Skype, the internet video chat program. “I talk to them [kids] every night ” and the kids watch the game “they’ll send me a voice message that they’re watching, telling me good luck.”

“It’s amazing. I went to their school the other day and they had pictures of me all over their wall. They’re letting everyone know that they’re proud that I’m their dad.”

You can catch up with Harrison on the Jets website or on CBS November 11th, as they take on the Seahawks.