Jonotthan Harrison’s
Story
1991-2008
Youth
As a young boy growing up in the heart of Florida, Harrison faced the difficult situation of being bullied because he was labeled as a band nerd due to his passion for playing the electric guitar and the french horn. Despite also being a letterman in football, track, basketball, and wrestling, Harrison never retaliated, remembering the wise words of his mother who encouraged him “not to stoop to the level of your enemies.” He holds on to this advice still today.
2009-2013
College
Harrison was a force to be reckoned with as a center. His talent earned him an athletic scholarship at the University of Florida. After redshirting his freshman year, Harrison went on to start 39 games during his tenure at Florida, including all 12 games his senior year. Harrison was voted team captain by his teammates his senior year. Harrison graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and anthropology (if Harrison weren’t an NFL player, he’d be a homicide detective).
2014-2018
Early
Career
Harrison entered the 2014 NFL draft ranked as the 9th best center. Despite going undrafted, Harrison would sign with the Indianapolis Colts, where he would make an immediate impact. After three years with the Colts, Harrison was signed by the New York Jets in 2017, providing a steady, reliable presence at the helm of the offensive line during his first few seasons there.
2019-Present
Current
After starting the 2019 season in a reserve role with the Jets, Harrison was thrust back into a starting spot when he took over for an injured teammate midway through the year. As the starting center, Harrison helped lead the Jets to a four-game win streak and victories in seven of their last ten games. Appearing in 40 games and starting 19 of them in his first three seasons with the Jets, Harrison has been a key pick up for a rebuilding New York squad that is on the cusp of contending.
As a professional athlete, Harrison has a platform that many don’t and he is using this opportunity to speak up on the issue of bullying — drawing on his own past experiences in his youth. In 2019, Harrison officially became a STOMP Out Bullying™ Global Ambassador. As a Global Ambassador, Harrison continues to bring awareness to bullying, cyberbullying, and other forms of digital abuse. Learn More.