Former Steelers Star Hurt In July 4th Fireworks Accident

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris is recovering from an injury suffered during a July Fourth fireworks accident.

His agent, Doug Hendrickson, released a statement Thursday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

“Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees. Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season,” Hendrickson said.

Here are more details about accident from the Mercury News’ Rick Hurd, Nate Gartrell and Darren Sabedra:

“The mishap happened about 12:20 a.m. July 5 in the 2200 block of Spanos Street and injured more than one person. In a statement, Antioch police said some of the injured were treated at the scene and hospitalized. Others drove themselves to a hospital, police said.”

The report continued by noting that “According to multiple sources, Harris first went to John Muir Hospital in Concord and later to Stanford Hospital for treatment. It was not clear whether he went by ambulance or was transported by private vehicle to the John Muir facility.”

The San Francisco Chronicle’s David Hernandez reported Sunday that six men and a 13-year-old boy were injured.

“The man who lit the firework remained at a hospital in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon, Lt. William Whitaker said, adding that the man lost several fingers and suffered other injuries to his face and chest,” Hernandez wrote.

It was exactly 10 years ago that New York Giants Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul lost a pair of fingers in a July Fourth fireworks accident. He recovered and played another eight years in the NFL.

As for Harris, he signed a one-year contract in March with the Los Angeles Chargers. According to ESPN, the Chargers declined to comment on Harris’ fireworks injury.

Harris, 27, was a first-round pick by the Steelers in 2021. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh, earning Pro Bowl honors his rookie year.

His 2021 campaign remains his best, with career highs in carries (307), rushing yards (1,200), receptions (74) and receiving yards (467). As a rookie, Harris led the NFL with 381 total touches.

Harris will see his former teammates on Nov. 9 when the Chargers host the Steelers for a Week 10 showdown which is slated for “Sunday Night Football” on NBC.

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