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- Najee Harris hurdled a Notre Dame defender during Friday’s Rose Bowl.
- The Alabama running back’s epic 53-yard run came days after he called Megan Rapinoe “inspirational,” and the USWNT star responded, “hurdle someone for me!”
- After Harris answered the call, Rapinoe wrote on Instagram, “You really did it!! It was for me right?!”
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Najee Harris stole the show at the 2021 Rose Bowl.
During the first quarter of Alabama’s College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame, the Crimson Tide’s star running back hurdled a Fighting Irish defender, completely clearing the top of his shimmering gold helmet en route to a 53-yard run.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
And it was all for US Women’s National Team star Megan Rapinoe – sort of.
A few days prior to his 155-yard performance in No. 1 Alabama’s decisive 31-14 victory, Harris unabashedly gushed about the 2019 World Cup golden boot and golden ball winner during a press conference. He said he looks up to Rapinoe for “what she does outside of sports” and called her willingness to stand up for what she believes in “inspirational.”
Elsa/Getty Images/CBS Sports/Twitter
Rapinoe caught wind of Harris’ kind words shortly thereafter and responded with an emoji-filled expression of gratitude on Twitter, including a call for the 6-foot-2, 229-pound 2021 NFL Draft prospect to “hurdle someone for me!”
And so he did.
—Anthony DiCicco (@DiCiccoMethod) January 1, 2021
Rapinoe reposted the incredible leap to her Instagram story later on Friday, adding "You really did it!! It was for me right?!" And while there's no way to be sure, Harris certainly heard Rapinoe's original request loud and clear.
—Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) December 30, 2020
With their win against Notre Dame Friday, the Crimson Tide advance to their fifth College Football Playoff title game in six years. Harris will now have a chance to secure a second national championship with Alabama to cap off his standout career in Tuscaloosa when he and the Crimson Tide take on No. 3 Ohio State Monday, January 11.
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