Alabama RB Najee Harris Talks Formation of #WeWantToPlay Movement: "We Want to Create Value"

The star tailback, along with Trevor Lawrence, are giving a voice to college football players everywhere in uncertain times

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama running back Najee Harris is a laid back guy, who normally keeps to himself, but when chatter erupted last weekend that the college football season was potentially cancelled, he and other stars in the sport, like Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, had to align and fight back. 

Thus, the #WeWantToPlay movement was born on social media. 

College football players around the nation took to the Twitter streets to let their intentions of playing the sport they love so much be known. 

"I had someone reach out to me to start a group message about how we want to play," Harris said on a Zoom call with the media on Friday afternoon. "We felt like it was not right for the decision to be made about cancelling the season, before listening to hear what the players had to say first. 

"We started the hashtag to tell the people making the decision that we want to play and we want to create value for ourselves because age and time still move on. You can not take that back. We could probably run back a season but you can not take back age and time.

"We have worked hard too hard for this, and, to say, that we are not going to play, is heartbreaking."

While the Big Ten and Pac-12 postponed their seasons to the spring, the SEC, ACC, and Big 12 are moving forward with plans to have a fall football campaign, so, Harris' efforts are certainly not in vain. 

Harris also noted during the availability that he has no regrets on his decision to return to Tuscaloosa for his senior season. 

Safety concerns relating to COVID-19 are not on the forefront of Harris' mind, but rather, the fact that the season could have the plugged pulled at any moment before it even gets going as Alabama opens up fall camp on Monday. 

"Not once I have thought about opting out," Harris said. "I do not want to go into camp knowing we might have a season or not. There are just so many uncertainties, but it is what it is. That is really the only concern I have. A lot of guys have the same concern, going into fall camp, not knowing if we are going to play or not, but opting out has never crossed my mind. 

"The team has the mindset that we are going to play until told otherwise."

As a senior and the team's leading rusher a season ago, Harris will use his voice, on and off the field, to help guide the Crimson Tide through uncharted waters in 2020. 

"I am a pretty closed in guy," Harris said. "But there is so much uncertainty going around that now I am not in a position to be quiet. I have to speak up for others who can not speak."