Damien Harris discusses origins of Celtics’ fanhood, makes Finals prediction originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Growing up in Kentucky and playing college football at Alabama, Damien Harris never had much of a reason to follow the Boston Celtics.
Upon joining the New England Patriots in 2019, however, Harris began looking for things to do away from his day job as a football player.
After someone suggested he check out a game at TD Garden, Harris quickly became hooked on the C’s, and he’s been rewarded with a team that’s just a few wins away from reaching an NBA Finals.
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“I didn’t necessarily grow up the biggest Celtics fan. I didn’t watch a lot of basketball growing up — football was my thing — but the first time I went to the Garden, it was electric,” Harris said Saturday on Pregame Live on NBC Sports Boston. “I loved watching those guys, the way that they played, the togetherness that they showed, the energy in the Garden. I was a fan since Day 1 and now I’m hooked.”
Harris has since taken up a friendship with Jayson Tatum, even attending his 24th birthday party, and was also present for the jersey retirement ceremony of Celtics legend Kevin Garnett.
“That was one of the more special times of my time as an athlete, honestly,” Harris said of attending Garnett’s number retirement ceremony. “Being here for that and seeing everything that he brought to Boston and the Celtics, seeing how people respected him and appreciated his greatness, it’s extremely motivating. I felt like I had a little extra juice going to work the next day.”
When it comes to who the best basketball player on the Patriots is, Harris said it wasn’t him…nor teammate Mac Jones, after someone in the audience shouted out the name of New England’s franchise quarterback.
Rather, based on what Harris has heard, it’s wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
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“I’ve never seen him play, but to hear him tell it, he’s the best hooper in Massachusetts, including the Celtics,” Harris said. “I’m not co-signing, but that’s what he said.”
Before Harris could get to his seats, Brian Scalabrine couldn’t let him off the hook without asking him how far the Celtics would wind up going this postseason.
“I’m no analyst, but I predict the C’s to win the finals,” Harris said.
Watch the full interview with Harris on YouTube below:
