{"id":556160,"date":"2026-02-05T15:23:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/556160\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T15:23:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:23:16","slug":"interview-with-raymont-harris-nfl-player-motivational-speaker-and-author","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/556160\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Raymont Harris, NFL Player, Motivational Speaker and Author"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently, I received the opportunity to interview Raymont Harris, former Ohio State and NFL star, who is also a big Cleveland Guardians\u2019 fan.<\/p>\n

First, a story\u2026 in 1995 after the Browns left town, I looked around for an NFL team to root for and I landed on another midwest team that plays in cold weather and was known for smashmouth football in the Chicago Bears. I immediately latched on to a young running back on the team who had played at my favorite college, Ohio State (I was born and raised in Columbus and my dad went to school there for a couple years) named Raymont Harris, also known as the Ultraback and the Quiet Storm.<\/p>\n

In 1996, Harris (in my first full season as a Bears\u2019 fan) put up 1,044 scrimmage yards and then in 1997 he followed it up with 1,148 scrimmage yards, including over 1,000 yards running the ball.<\/p>\n

\"1<\/a><\/p>\n

1 Sep 1997: Running back Raymont Harris of the Chicago Bears carries the football during the Bears 38-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel \/Allsport Getty Images<\/p>\n

As a 12 year-old, I wrote Harris a fan letter just expressing how much I enjoyed watching him play and wishing him the best in the upcoming season. Harris wrote me back a personal letter with an autographed photo I immediately framed and still have on my wall. I am not really an autograph collector, but what that interaction showed me is that I could genuinely root for athletes who would genuinely appreciate my support. It proceeded to launch me on an enriching experience of rooting for my favorite teams, including the Guardians, Buckeyes, Bears, Cavs and (despite their best attempts to ruin it!) the Browns. I doubt I would be running this fun blog and writing about sports without the little boost of confidence Raymont Harris provided me in giving such a kind and personal response to my letter.<\/p>\n

Fast forward almost 30 years, Harris is an internationally recognized motivational speaker who has just this past month published his first book called \u201cControl the Controllables\u201d and was kind enough to respond to some questions about his book, including some connections to our current Cleveland Guardians\u2019 team. Our conversation is below:<\/p>\n

Thank you for agreeing to talk to us. Can you explain a little about your Background and connection to Ohio and the Cleveland Guardians?<\/p>\n

Ohio built me. Period.
Lorain, Ohio put the edge in me. Ohio State sharpened it. Playing in the NFL tested it.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always connected with Cleveland teams because they don\u2019t get handed anything. The Guardians especially. They\u2019re not about flash. They\u2019re about development, discipline, and surviving long seasons without flinching. That\u2019s familiar to me. That\u2019s Ohio. That\u2019s how I learned to move in the world.<\/p>\n

Why should we read \u201cControl the Controllables?\u201d<\/p>\n

This book isn\u2019t for hype.
It\u2019s for moments when pressure shows up and motivation isn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n

I wrote it after realizing that talent, work ethic, and good intentions don\u2019t protect you from doubt or identity loss when things break. The book gives people something more solid than confidence. It gives them control. Clear places to aim their energy when everything else feels uncertain.<\/p>\n

When you look at the Cleveland Guardians, how do you see them \u201ccontrolling the controllables\u201d?<\/p>\n

The Guardians don\u2019t panic when things tighten up.<\/p>\n

They don\u2019t chase trends or overreact. They invest in fundamentals, develop talent, and trust it longer than most people are comfortable with. Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez doesn\u2019t waste energy on noise. He prepares, competes, responds, repeats. That\u2019s controlling the controllables over a long season.<\/p>\n

In brief, can you summarize your primary advice for leaders and organizations?<\/p>\n

Most leaders burn themselves out trying to control outcomes they don\u2019t own.<\/p>\n

The shift is simple, but uncomfortable: control your preparation, your standards, and your response when things don\u2019t go your way. When those are clear and consistent, results stop being the obsession and start becoming the byproduct.<\/p>\n

What is the best way to purchase your book?<\/p>\n

Control the Controllables: Mindset, Pressure, and the Power of Control is widely available, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
At the moment, Barnes & Noble appears to have faster delivery.<\/p>\n

Barnes & Noble link<\/a>.
Amazon link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thank you to Mr. Harris for his time and his insight! I encourage you all to consider following him via your favorite social media platform (Facebook<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>), checking out his website<\/a>, and purchasing his book. (Neither I nor SB Nation received any renumeration for this article).<\/p>\n