Levy, ESPN’s play-by-play announcer for the game, was explaining how Harris overcame homelessness in his youth to be a star at Alabama. He also shared an anecdote about Harris’ sleeping arrangements during his first year at the school.
“Even when he got to Alabama on the full-ride [scholarship], got the fancy dorm room, he spent the first few months in Alabama sleeping on the floor,” Levy said on the broadcast. “Said he was just more comfortable, he was more used to that.”
MORE: Referee Tony Corrente explains controversial calls in Bears-Steelers game
That certainly sounded like a cool story. However, it wasn’t true, as Harris revealed on Twitter later that night.
MORE: Mike Tomlin supports NFL’s emphasis on taunting
Levy acknowledged his mistake on Tuesday afternoon. He tweeted an apology to Harris and donated to Harris’ charitable foundation to make it up to the Steelers RB.
MORE: How Steve Levy, camera angle fooled views on final play of MNF
So, how did Levy get this story wrong? Well, it turns out he may have been thinking of another former Alabama running back, Josh Jacobs.
Jacobs’ decision to sleep on the floor was detailed in a 2018 story by Bleacher Report.
That explains where Levy went wrong. Jacobs and Harris went to Alabama and were selected with the 24th overall pick in the first round of their respective draft classes.
