Marvin Harrison Jr. credits famous father for work ethic, acknowledges inherent pressure

It’s not always easy to follow in your kin’s footsteps. That’s especially so when your dad is a Hall of Famer. However, Marvin Harrison Jr. doesn’t let those roots or branches in his family tree affect him.

Harrison Jr. joined ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Friday and discussed the impact that his father, Marvin Harrison Sr., has had on his development and career. He realizes that the namesake adds obvious pressure but that his father has also been an aid in every step along the way.

“I mean it’s definitely a lot of pressure but my dad has helped me a lot throughout my whole career. He has coached me very hard since a very young age,” said Harrison Jr.. “Just learning the most that I can from him. I think the pressure definitely is always there for me. But you just try to not let it affect you too much.”

However, one thing that doesn’t come as much from his father is Harrison Jr.’s desire to grind. There’s some connection but, in the end, he puts it upon himself to be the best that he can be as a player.

“I think the work ethic definitely comes from him. And then it’s just in me. I don’t know,” Harrison Jr. explained. “I just always want to push myself to be the best player that I can be. Every time I step on the field, I try to do the best I can and I work very hard to shine on Saturdays.”

Harrison Sr. is Top-10 all-time in the NFL in receptions (fifth), receiving yards (ninth), and touchdowns (ninth). In total, he posted 1,102 catches for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. That led him to making eight Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams, and 2016’s Hall of Fame Class. He also won a Super Bowl along the way.

In three years at Ohio State, Harrison Jr. is set to surpass what his father did at Syracuse back in the early 90s. He currently sits just 16 catches behind his dad for 722 fewer yards. Even so, he has already passed him in touchdowns with 22 compared to Harrison Sr.’s 20 with the Orange.

Every kid wants to make his parents proud of what they accomplish in life. Considering he’s well on his way to joining the family business, it’s safe to say that Harrison Jr. has done exactly that in Harrison Sr.’s eyes.