Steelers running back Najee Harris said he had too much of a Thanksgiving treat and that’s why he was briefly sidelined during the first quarter of Pittsburgh’s 44-38 win over the Bengals on Sunday.
In his postgame press conference, Harris explained that he overindulged on a dish made by Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth’s girlfriend — and it wound up slowing him down on Pittsburgh’s second drive at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
“Thanksgiving, Pat’s girlfriend, Jill, she made this fire-ass little banana thing,” Harris said. “I had too much. I guess I didn’t know it affected me until that first drive. So, I blame her.”
Harris slowed up on a screen pass early in the game and then went to the sideline with what was said to be a leg injury at first.
He downplayed the moment and said he felt good after eating some oranges.
The Pro Bowl running back re-entered the game on the Steelers’ fourth possession and scored a 10-yard touchdown.
Harris went on to have a productive day, rushing for 75 yards on 16 carries and catching six passes for 64 yards.
Harris was celebrating in the locker room with head coach Mike Tomlin after the Steelers won the AFC North showdown, as seen in a video he posted on his Instagram Story.
The Steelers (9-3) face the Browns (3-8) in Pittsburgh on Dec. 8.