Steelers’ Najee Harris makes appearance in wrestling ring during promotional tour of Mexico
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When assistant general manager Andy Weidl last week said the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to build a team that would “break the will” of opponents, he probably wasn’t thinking about turnbuckles, finishing moves or submission holds.
But the Steelers’ star running back has made a foray into the world of professional wrestling. While on a promotional tour of Mexico for the NFL, Najee Harris found his way into a ring of a promotion in Mexico City.
Atlantis and Pittsburgh Steeler running back Najee Harris pic.twitter.com/wZG0FfZp8p
— luchablog (@luchablog) May 10, 2023
Wearing a mask — the traditional domain of “lucha libre” in Mexico — Harris joined Mexican wrestling star Atlantis during a Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) event Tuesday night at the 16,500-seat Arena Mexico.
Photos from CMLL showed Harris donning the mask, hugging Atlantis and posing for a photo in the ring.
¡De la NFL a La Mejor Lucha Libre del Mundo! ????
???? ???? Najee Harris, RB de Steelers, presente en la Arena México acompañando al Ídolo de los Niños Atlantis. #MartesDeArenaMéxico
???? Transmisión en vivo: https://t.co/wNWdydgC03 pic.twitter.com/5wS6zC6VOt— Lucha Libre CMLL (@CMLL_OFICIAL) May 10, 2023
Afterward, Harris spoke of the appreciation he learned for the athleticism of the wrestlers in a video posted to YouTube by the promotion.
“There’s a different level of appreciation just seeing it in person,” Harris said. “Them jumping off the ropes and flying around, you kind of appreciate it more in person rather on TV. It’s crazy, you guys are real-life athletes. Seeing everyone go through it and put their body through it, it’s dope.”
This isn’t the first time Harris stepped into a pro wrestling ring. Last year during an All Elite Wrestling event at the Petersen Events Center, Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth joined AEW star Dr. Britt Baker after she won a match. Baker, a native of Punxsutawney who has degrees from Pitt and Penn State, waved a Terrible Towel and donned a Steelers glove after she won, and addressed the crowd while flanked by Freiermuth and Harris.
Harris was given a soccer jersey and met boxing star Canelo Alvarez during other portions of his Mexico trip, which the NFL is using to promote its scheduled international games.
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