Steelers rookie Najee Harris using platform to combat homelessness

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris hasn't played a single down of professional ball yet. But he's already using his platform as a pro athlete to make a difference.

The Martinez, Calif., native has been open about being homeless for much of his childhood. Now, he is becoming an advocate, combatting homelessness and hunger in his home state.

Harris met with Governor Gavin Newsom and other California politicians in Santa Clara last week to discuss homeless services in the Bay Area. 

"I am not a politician, I am just here to shed light on the situation of homeless and hunger in California. We are all in position to help, I know I am, of course, these guys up here are," Harris said in a statement transcribed by East County Today.

This isn't the first time Harris has brought attention to homelessness in the Bay Area. The 23-year-old, who the Steelers took with the 24th overall pick in this year's draft, even hosted his draft party at the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, where he and his family spent time when he was younger.

He also has a nonprofit, Da Bigger Picture, which aims to help underprivileged families by focusing on "education, homelessness, addressing hunger and utilizing sports as a platform to develop life skills."

"Me and my family were once homeless moving around the Bay Area," Harris said last week. "San Francisco, Richmond, Pinole, Hercules, Sacramento, I mean the list goes on and on. But we were evicted numerous times and had to stay in homeless shelters, friends' houses, cars, but as family, we stuck together and made it through these tough times. Now I am in position to help people who were once in my shoes."