Never Give Up

Blog 'N Gold
October 15, 2009
http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/blogngold/default.aspx

By now, he's a legend. You know bits of the story -- the undrafted free agent who bodyslammed a Browns fan and went on to become the menacing standard bearer for Steelers linebackers -- a modern, more powerful incarnation of Jack Lambert and Greg Lloyd, and -- outwardly, at least -- just as affable as those two. He'd win the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and complete the longest, and arguably greatest play in Super Bowl history less than a year after being arrested on domestic violence charges. And less than a year before he'd 'snub' a president and his son would be seriously injured by his dog.

From the outside looking in, Steelers linebacker James Harrison is at best a complex man, and at worst fodder for snap judgements for those not interested in the details.

Former Post-Gazette staff writer, Bill Moushey, however, was interested in the details. In "Never Give Up," Moushey paints in 155 pages of taut prose a picture of Harrison, a man who forged success despite long odds and myriad obstacles -- many of his own making -- and a thoughtful, insightful, caring person beneath the surly facade. The book was released today and is available online and at local bookstores.

Moushey, director of the Innocence Institute of Point Park University, and a past Pultizer Prize finalist talked with Blog 'N' Gold about his book, and its somewhat enigmatic subject:

BNG: You've made a career interviewing criminals, crooks & rogues, so you said weren't at all intimidated by a tough guy like James Harrison. That said, was he a difficult subject in terms of getting him to open up?

MOUSHEY: It certainly wasn’t easy. I worked on background for two months (between Christmas and the Pro Bowl) after signing the deal with him. When I finally sat down to listen to our first four-hour interview tape, I talked more than he did. I thought it was one of the worst interviews I’ve ever done (and that includes mob bosses who said things like “I ain’t got nothin to say about nothin.” Over time, he loosened up and by the time we finished the job, he would expound on just about any topic I asked him about, including things he did not want to talk about (like his domestic abuse case).

BNG: Is Harrison's accountability in matters public and private refreshing in the world that we live in?

MOUSHEY: He has had to overcome adversity he heaped on himself (repeatedly). He's also been victimized by others. As I say in the book, "sometimes its good, sometimes its bad." From a guy who spent 30 years covering politicians and "bad guys," I had a great time working with James on this book. He is the polar opposite of the folks I've written about who spent entire interviews trying to wiggle out of honest answers. It is totally refreshing. Ask James a question. James gives an answer. It is often so brutally frank and honest that some are offended. I love it.

BNG: How much of Harrison's success is due to the iron discipline his parents, especially his mother, wielded around the home?

MOUSHEY: He attributes much of his success to his parents, who supported him like almost no one else in West Akron, which has a 95% poverty rate and a very high single parent rate. He says in the book that he can’t understand why kids use athletes and Hollywood stars as role models. His role models were at home, his mom and dad. Speaking of his mother, what she said was what he did. There were no questions asked. Like she said in the book, if any of her kids wanted to talk, she’d “give them something to talk about.”

BNG: The expression "luck is the intersection of timing and preparation" seems to fit Harrison to a tee …

MOUSHEY: It certainly does. It is also what provided a central theme of the book. He has never doubted his own ability. He has had to overcome obstacles -- some brought on by himself, some by others -- his entire life. By the time he went through four cuts before sticking with the Steelers, he was of a mindset that he was good enough to play in the NFL. His sole concern was whether he'd ever get the chance. He just kept working, getting bigger and stronger and faster until someone finally gave him a chance. Pretty simple. It worked.

BNG: Harrison doesn't get paid to run Dale Carnegie courses, he plays a violent game. Is too much is made of his ornery exterior?

MOUSHEY: He has brought that on himself. One explanation you’ll find in the book is that he is extremely shy, and distrustful of folks he doesn’t know. He has walked away from hundreds of thousands of dollars in appearance fees because he does not feel comfortable in large crowds, especially if he has to speak. He is a football player. He does not have an even disposition on the field, but he does when he’s off it, especially when he’s around kids. Like Dick LeBeau says in the book: “I don’t know if I’d start my church choir” with James, but he points out football isn’t for nice people (on the field). I show numerous examples in the book how his mean façade is simply a shield of shyness (as hard as that is to believe) ...The best vision I have of Harrison’s demeanor off the field is when his infant son is being taken to bed each night and James looks at him, raises his hand into a sign and says “Peace.”

BNG: Are Harrison's problems are squarely in the past?

MOUSHEY: I think James Harrison, who is only 31, is like all of us, an evolving situation. I think he’s extremely focused. He knows what is right and what is wrong and accepts both with brutal honesty. He also knows he’s squarely in the public eye and realizes he must act accordingly. Unfortunately, I can’t predict the future, or I’d bet the house on the stock market.

BNG: Harrison doesn't see much grey or nuance in the world, or in himself, does he?

MOUSHEY: Everyone is nuanced, but I think James does see the world in black and white. He basically tries to do the right thing and take the consequences when things don't turn out like he'd like. It is a pretty tough way to live, but I've found that it makes life relatively simple for James. I would not invite anyone else to try it at home.

BNG: Harrison's agent, Bill Parise, is listed as a co-author. What would you say to anyone who might suggest that this undermines the integrity of the book?

MOUSHEY: I decided to give him the “with” by-line about midway through the process because he was materially adding information to the story at every juncture. It was a case of giving credit where credit is due. If there is an integrity issue (I don’t understand what that would be), then so be it. From my perspective, I reported this story as hard as anything I’ve ever done. I told everyone involved at the outset that if everyone was not honest and forthright, I was out. Nothing like that ever came to pass. In fact, it was an enjoyable experience for me and (I believe) everyone else. Bill Parise did a lot of work filling in the blanks of Harrison’s life and he deserves the credit he got.

Posted: Dan Gigler with 1 comment(s)
Filed under: james harrison, Never Give Up, Bill Moushey