A proud graduate of Cherry Hill Public Schools and current defensive back for the Minnesota Vikings, Harrison Hand couldn’t wait to find a way for people who usually saw him from afar to deal with him up close.
The four-year gridiron giant, who spent one year with East and his final three years at West, is planning to host a noon workout session, on Saturday, April 3, for youngsters in his community interested in gaining a leg up in football fitness.
The event is scheduled to take place at Adrenaline Sports Performance and Training at 1951 Old Cuthbert Road, Unit 102, a location key to Hand’s career path.
“For one, that’s the place where I started my own training,” Hand said in a conversation with the Sun roughly 48 hours before the clinic.
“I started back with them a while ago, and I’ve been with them for my whole football career,” he explained. “They got me ready for college and the combine. For the guys who wouldn’t normally have these opportunities, I wanted to show them how to get a good workout in.”
The first of its kind, Hand said it was an easy decision to hold the initial workout event in familiar surroundings. He added that it really wasn’t a matter of football being what he knew best, but of knowing the easiest way to do something good for his community.
“I thought this was a simple way to give back and show love,” he noted. “A lot of (young athletes who may come to the event) are out here watching me while I’m training and playing. I’m giving them a chance to see me up close. I’m doing it to show it can be done, and there are role models out there who can show the way is possible.”
It was also a natural choice, since Hand was a kinesiology major upon graduation from Temple University.
Although everyone interested in getting a taste of a pro-level workout would be welcome, Hand said the afternoon was really targeted toward high schoolers looking for a way to challenge themselves physically. There was also no firm limit on the number of participants, but due to COVID restrictions, the event was on a first-come, first-served basis.
No matter the outcome of the workout, Hand said he wants to expand the endeavor beyond his home base whenever he has time in the coming months and years. He’s also working on other events through his new foundation, Hands On, planned for the near future.
For additional inquiries into Hand’s community impact, contact Benaiah Brittany Hand at (856) 906-7668.
