MARVIN Darnell Harrison Jr., known as MHJ to his teammates, coaches, and fans, is an American football wide receiver with
Marvin Harrison Jr. is also the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., leaving football fans and enthusiasts alike wanting to know more about the future NFL player’s family life.
Who are Marvin Harrison Jr.’s parents?
Marvin Harrison Jr. grew up playing both football and basketball, though decided to pursue football exclusively when he entered high school.
His father, Marvin Harrison Sr., was born on August 25, 1972, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He attended Syracuse University, where he was a three-year starter for the school’s football team.
After graduating with a degree in retail management, he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft, as the 19th pick.
His career with the Colts lasted over a decade, during which time he achieved:
- 128 receiving touchdowns
- 1,102 receptions
- 14,580 receiving yards
He quietly retired from the NFL after sitting out the 2009 season.
Considered one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, Harrison Sr. was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
When Harrison Jr. received his first All-American Bowl jersey back in 2020, he reflected on his father’s help to get him there.
“He definitely showed me a lot,” Harrison said, as reported by 247 Sports.
“Eighth grade and going into high school, I started learning more about playing receiver, learning the little details of route running.”
“I really started to learn everything and he helped me tremendously, so I am thankful for him,” he added.
After his son committed to Ohio State University, and after he watched him in action, Harrison Sr. was floored.
“As you watch week in and week out, and his determination to play and get better, it’s like he’s doing everything he needs to do as long as he stays focused and keeps his head level,” Harrison Sr. said, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch.
“I just told my kid to focus on school and be the best player he can be and keep working hard,” Harrison Sr. said.
Still, despite having a famous – and talented – father to look upon for inspiration, Harrison Jr. also credits his mother for helping him take his game to the next level.
Harrison Jr.’s calls his mother, Dawne Harrison, his “escape from football,” as reported by the Marietta Daily Journal Online.
“Obviously, she supports me with my football career, but just having a mother first, it’s so important to me,” Harrison Jr. said.
“And then talk to her about how I’m doing mentally, or academically or just anything that’s going on in my life, it’s really important for me,” he added.
Dawne famously – and politely – turns down interview requests and media opportunities, with Harrison Jr. saying that she just “does not do interviews.”
Harrison Jr. credits his mother for his work-ethic, saying he watched her work two jobs while he was growing up, at a hospital and as a fitness instructor.
“If she’s getting up on four hours of sleep, I have no excuse not to either,” Harrison said.
He also cited his mother for preparing him academically, saying his GPA was in the “3.5 or higher” range.
“Obviously, she wants me to succeed in my athletic career, but definitely academics is always her part in my life growing up,” Harrison Jr. said.
“Whether it was middle school, high school, always making sure I get my homework done and things like that,” he added.
Harrison Jr. also says that he’s most thankful for the fact that his mom “knew and understood” that he was busy with football, and that his “athletic career kind of comes, not first, but meant a lot to me.”
Did Marvin Sr. win a Super Bowl?
Marvin Harrison Sr. isn’t just considered one of the greatest football players of all time – he has the stats, accolades, and accomplishments to back it up.
After making his debut with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 1996, Harrison Sr. made First-team All Pro three times, in 1999, 2002, and 2006.
On February 4, 2007, Marvin Sr, also competed in Super Bowl XLI.
The football match featured the Indianapolis Colts playing against the Chicago Bears.
The game, held at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Garden, Florida, was the first – and only – Super Bowl win for an AFC South team.
The Indianapolis Colts ended up beating the Chicago Bears, winning the Super Bowl with a final score of 29 to 17.
The Super Bowl XLI famously featured Billy Joel singing the National Anthem and a halftime performance by Prince and the Florida A&M University Marching 100, the school’s marching band.
Along with being a Super Bowl champion, Marvin Harrison Sr. was also named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team, and played in the Pro Bowl eight times between 1999 and 2006.
Does Marvin Jr. have siblings?
Marvin Harrison Jr. was born on August 11, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He reportedly has one sibling, a younger brother name Jett Harrison, who was born in 2009.
Just like his father and older brother, Jett has taken up football as his primary sport, passion, and potentially future.
He is currently on track to be a wide receiver at St. Joseph’s Preparatory High School.
At a November 2023 press conference, Marvin Harrison Jr. praised his then-14-year-old brother, who was in eighth grade at the time.
“He’s great. He’s definitely more talented than I ever was at that age,” Harrison Jr. said in a video posted to Twitter by Lantern Sports.
“He started early with the routes and everything from my dad.”
“I’m super excited to see how he comes along, and it’s gonna be very scary to see how he progresses,” he added.
Harrison Jr. also admits that while his brother is still a few years away from committing to a college, he is already considering Ohio State.
“He sees me here, [so] naturally he wants to follow my footsteps,” Harrison Jr. said, as reported by USA Today High School Sports.