EAGAN, Minnesota – Harrison Smith gave Assistant Foreman his Hitman identity back.
But only for a few months.
During his Tuesday media appearance in the Twin Cities, the seasoned Vikings safety was questioned about his time between Minnesota’s season-ending victory in 2023 and his decision to return for a 13th season.
According to Smith, there was “nothing exciting.”
“I was really like completely living life like I wasn’t a football player, which is a good weight off your mind,” he stated. He also assisted his brother, who’s working on a remodel of Smith’s home in their hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.”I just kind of helped out, worked under him,” Smith said. “Got that experience in my life, which is pretty cool – it was fun. Carpenter, welder, wherever I can help.”
Smith also focused on quality time with his wife Madison and their two young children, Eleanor and Pierce.In addition, he helped his brother, who is remodeling Smith’s house in Knoxville, Tennessee, their hometown.
“I just kind of helped out, worked under him,” said Smith. “I had that experience, which was enjoyable and really cool. Wherever I can help, carpenter, welder, etc.”
Smith also made an effort to spend quality time with Eleanor and Pierce, their two small children, and his wife Madison.Smith chuckled when he said that he didn’t get back into that mindset until he “saw some things on ESPN” about free agency.
“I kind of just relaxed and didn’t give ball much thought. And then, to be very honest, I almost forgot the date of free agency. He answered, “Not that I forgot about it, but more like when it was exactly.” “I thought it would be best to do this right away.
“But I already knew what I wanted to do,” he continued. “It’s more just seeing how it works and if we can work it out, fit things together.”It was this sense of clarity about his choice that enabled Smith to completely detach himself from the NFL life for a while.
Although he couldn’t pinpoint a single reason for his return, citing “a lot of factors,” he emphasized that he still wants to “try to win here” in Minnesota.
“I play the game for that reason. I enjoy competing,” Smith remarked. “I am aware that others outside of this place don’t hold us to the same standards that we do. However, I believe we have some promising things here, and I felt it was vital to stay involved in that.”I really enjoy playing for K.O. (Head Coach Kevin O’Connell), and the Wilfs run a top-shelf organization,” he stated. It’s been fantastic working with K.O., [General Manager] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah, and [Defensive Coordinator Brian] Flores. It’s kind of great because last year I discovered a bunch of stuff that I had never really been exposed to throughout my career.”Smith talked on his great relationship with Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, the chance to learn from him going forward, and the chance to guide his younger colleagues in the DB room.
Again, “It’s a lot of things,” he said.
Smith stated that his physical condition is good and that he is sure he can continue to be an asset to the Vikings organization both on and off the field.
“I thought I ought to go on,” he uttered.Smith was thrilled with the defensive players the Vikings selected in the offseason, such as Dallas Turner and Khyree Jackson, and the free agents they signed, such as former division rivals Aaron Jones and Robert Tonyan.
Smith has positive feelings about the 2024 squad, despite his tendency to put the cart before the horse.
“We’ll see what happens,” he replied, “but I like what we’ve got goin’ on.”
When asked if he thought of this season as his last, Smith replied that he wasn’t going to give it a name.”I don’t like, I don’t know, I just kind of take it day by day – thinking about what I’m doing on the field and how I can get better at that,” Smith stated. “That kind of simplifies it, and it really lets you enjoy the moment more than saying, ‘Oh, this is my last one.'”That’s not really how I dress,” he continued. “I simply enjoy the meetings, the action, and hanging out with the guys. And when I approach it that way, I believe I also contribute more, and I also tend to get more out of it. simply living in the now and grateful for the chance I’ve been given.”
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