Jajuan Harley has gone from working at Walmart several months ago to playing NFL football, a story that was profiled by Eric Adelson of Yahoo! Sports:
During his lunch break at Walmart, he would seldom eat lunch.
Jajuan Harley ducked into a bathroom, took off his blue shirt with his name tag, changed into workout clothes, and then headed outside to run a steep cement hill until it was time to return to work.
Or he would head to the parking lot of Supercenter Store #1077 on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee, Fla., and run around the parking lot, weaving through the rows of shopping cart holders.
Or he would sneak into the fitness section and do some dumbbell curls. Anything to chase a football dream that once seemed so assured.
Five years ago, Harley was a prized recruit, a four-star safety from Tallahassee who ran a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash and bench pressed 400 pounds. On Jan. 1 of this year, only a few miles from the Florida State campus where he was supposed to become a household name, Harley walked away from his $7.73 per hour salary at Walmart to train full time for one more chance at big-time football. He emailed every single NFL team, hoping for a response. Now, a few months later, he’s the longest of long shots at Buffalo Bills training camp.
He arrived here with 71 cents in his bank account.
……………
Harley was a prized prospect, with measurables and highlights to match. He had his choice of Division I schools and went to Florida State in 2009. But he never grew into the star he was expected to be. Harley transferred when FSU made a coaching change, and the new staff wanted him to move to linebacker from safety. Harley played one season at Middle Tennessee State and then chose to leave for the pros. He ran a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day in 2013, but there wasn’t much film on him, and he wasn’t drafted.
“That crushed him,” said Jack.
Harley got a shot with Seattle, at the Seahawks’ rookie camp. He didn’t get signed. He got a look from Denver. Nothing. And at that point he started thinking this wasn’t to be. He considered joining the military. He took a job as a sales associate with Walmart, in the toy department. He worked all hours, including overnights, but the toughest shift was Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon: “All the kids would come in,” he said, “and just throw the toys on the ground.”
Harley has since racked up a pair of tackles in the preseason, and nearly had an interception in the game against the Carolina Panthers. The second-year player has enjoyed camp at St. John Fisher College, and has been amazed at how quick this past year has gone for him.
“It happened so fast,” said Harley. “All this happened within a year. My whole life has changed. It’s been a great experience.”
As Adelson wrote, Harley left his Walmart job on January 1, 2014 in order to go after his dream of making an NFL team. Harley explained what helped him make that decision.
“New beginnings,” said Harley. “Just knowing that I’m still young, I’m still chasing a dream and nothing’s stopping me besides myself.”
Harley says he still has a working 1990 Acura at home that, if he makes the roster, he’d like to give it to his brother. Despite that and only having 71 cents in his bank account when he arrived in Buffalo, Harley won’t let discouraging thoughts to enter his mind.
“Just ignoring anything I think that I feel like is negative,” said Harley. Any doubt that tries to creeps in, or hear anything that I don’t want to hear, I just erase it.”
Even though he wasn’t playing last season, Harley was still able to keep his physical prowess and speed that made him a top recruit. Harley says he “kept training, never stopped”.
“That’s something that’s god-given,” Harley said of his 4.3 speed and ability to bench press 400 bounds. “I’m just blessed to have that, and I took advantage of it. Ran right, eat right, and did everything right to maintain that.”
Harley’s story has allowed him to receive a lot of admiration and support from those on social media.
“@johnnyhyena: @JajuanHarley Congrats on 2nd team Jujuan.. watched you at Florida St! Can't wait to see you out there this year!”#Thanks
— Jajuan Harley (@JajuanHarley) August 19, 2014
“@chrishinca1973: @JajuanHarley good game keep up the good work”thanks
— Jajuan Harley (@JajuanHarley) August 17, 2014
Harley is surprised at how he’s influenced others, and definitely believes the words of encouragement helps him in his NFL journey.
“The main thing is it’s just so amazing that a person like myself….I’d never thought I would inspire people the way I am,” said Harley. “It’s just motivating to see to push forth because someone is always looking and watching, and they’re using you as their motivation.”
The former Seminole was a teammate of quarterback E.J. Manuel for two years at Florida State. Harley has picked off Manuel a pair of times in camp, but even playing against him practice, he is still a big fan of Manuel’s character.
“It’s great,” Harley said of being back with Manuel. “Just like I said before, E.J. was one of the guys that was supporting me at Florida State. When I needed someone to talk to, he was always there. It’s still like that up here. It’s just great to be with somebody that really cares.”
One player whose footsteps Harley could follow is nickel corner Nickel Robey, who made the team as an undrafted free agent in last year’s training camp. Robey has told Harley to “just keep playing ball”, believe in himself, and “constantly keep working”.
Harley is currently battling three other undrafted safeties (Kenny Ladler, Derek Brim, and Deon Broomfield) for a spot on the roster. But despite the competition, the young group always backs each other.
“We just keep uplifting each other,” said Harley. “It’s just like we always say, if it doesn’t work out here, another team will pick you up. We just say “keep working hard”, somebody is watching.”
Harley also complimented defensive back coach Donnie Henderson.
“I’d go through a wall for Donnie, man,” Harley said. “I’ve never had a coach teach me the game of football. He’s really broken down a lot. I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here.”
Hopefully, with the amount of things Harley has learned in camp, even if Buffalo doesn’t end up keeping him on the roster, others are watching, and will put him on their squad.
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