Often professional athletes are criticized for letting fame and fortune go to their heads.
That cannot be said of James Harrison, recently inducted into the Coventry High School All-Sports Hall of Fame. In fact, quite the opposite is true. His good deed has made a big impression.

The Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker purchased 75 pairs of Nike “Super Speed D” football cleats for the Comets’ team.

“It was a great thing for him to do for us,” said talented senior wide receiver Jeff Walker. “Coventry is a small school and when you see somebody go big, it let’s you know your dreams can still come true.”

The shipment of cleats arrived two days before the team’s first game. The retail value of the gift: $7,000.

“It meant a lot,” senior leader Richard Geiger said. “He came from Coventry and he still cares about Coventry. It shows that he cares for his school and looks out for us. The cleats are nice.” 

A 1997 CHS graduate, Harrison signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and had a monster 2007 season. He became a national name Nov. 5 on Monday Night Football, during a 38-7 win over Baltimore. Harrison had a season’s worth of statistics with 10 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He was voted Steelers MVP and selected second-team All-Pro (combined AFC, NFC), also playing in his first Pro Bowl.

“He’s come back every year for us and talked to the kids and made himself visible on the sidelines and at practices over the years,” Comets coach Jay Newcome said. “It means a lot to the kids just to see somebody who has been in their shoes, played at the same stadium as they do, same practice field, walked the same halls at the school, that has reached the pinnacle of his profession, being an All-Pro and Defensive MVP for the Steelers. Just to see somebody from Coventry be able to do that is really an inspiration.”

In 2001, at Kent State, Harrison earned first-team All-MAC, with 98 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss (including 12 sacks), and three interceptions. Harrison isn’t the first All-Pro player from Kent State to help the Steelers. Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert led the Golden Flashes to a 1972 MAC title and was a member of “The Steel Curtain.”

As a Comet, Harrison led CHS to a 25-5 grid record during his three varsity seasons and a 15-12 win over rival Manchester in 1995.