WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — The first joint practice between the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals created a throwback atmosphere Wednesday. Reggie Wayne went back to work on the field.
Edgerrin James signed autographs at the fence line. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon thanked the Colts for giving him a chance to show he could coach. And, yes, Marvin Harrison Jr.
returned to the only NFL city his father ever called home. It was a big moment for the Cardinals' 22-year-old rookie receiver. “Yeah, it's kind of crazy,” he said, flashing that familiar Harrison smile.
“Just really special. So happy to be here.” Harrison Jr.
wasn't exactly a prominent personality when his Hall of Fame father was catching passes from Peyton Manning and challenging Wayne to keep up with his record-breaking pace. The elder Harrison always preferred to keep his private life, well, private. Junior did most of his initial work behind the scenes.
He attended periodic games, occasionally attended a training camp practice, even managed to walk on the Colts' home turf. And, yes, he also attended his father's induction into Indy's Ring of Honor in 2011, dreaming of the day he might follow his father to the NFL. It didn't take long to see the comparisons.
The Philadelphia prep star quickly caught the attention of college scouts. During his three seasons at Ohio State, Harrison Jr. swept the awards, too, twice earning unanimous All-American status while taking home last year's Biletnikoff Award, for .