Jim Gehman

Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk was an influencer before it became an occupation.

And is the reason why Arlen Harris chose to sign as a rookie free agent with the Rams after not being selected during the 2003 NFL Draft. His decision practically began to pay off before he could dot the i in Harris on the contract.

"Marshall Faulk was always someone that I looked up to," Harris said. "I mean, he was a player/coach, very knowledgeable. I already knew what he could do as a player, but the things that I'd learn from him off the field, in the meeting room, just being around him, it just really took my game to another level."

That Harris even reached the professional level was a victory in itself.

"My college career was crazy," he said. "I committed to the Florida Gators because I was like the third back coming out in the country, and the No. 2 back committed there before I did. And they're only taking one.

"So I ended up going to Virginia and just had a lot of different (knee and hamstring) injuries. And so I transferred to Hofstra, and the same thing happened. I never even had an opportunity to play there after beating out the all-time league rusher. I missed over a year of football before going to the NFL."

With a quick understanding of the offense and excelling on special teams, Harris saw himself rising up the depth chart during training camp and the preseason and beating the odds to make the team.

Helping the Rams post a 4-2 record to begin the season, the rookie made his first career start against Pittsburgh in Week 7 in place of Faulk, who was sidelined because of broken bones in his hand.

"I was really nervous, because being from Pennsylvania and going back to my hometown state to start, I had family and friends that I knew were going to come. And with Marshall not being able to play that day, I just wanted to make sure I didn't mess anything up," Harris laughed.

"Marshall helped me with knowledge of the game and comforted me, calmed me down. Also, (running backs coach) Wilbert Montgomery. Again, being from Pennsylvania, I looked up to him, I knew who he was as an Eagle. So those guys really rallied around me.

"And not just even in the running backs room. The line, (Adam) Timmerman, (Orlando) Pace, and (the quarterback) Marc Bulger, those guys really made me feel comfortable going into that game. So I felt prepared."

To be prepared. Any Boy Scout who wasn't waving a Terrible Towel would have been proud of Harris' performance on Heinz Field that afternoon.

Aside from Bulger keeping the ball three times and gaining 8 yards, Harris was the only Ram to run the ball, finishing with a game-high 34 carries for an also game-high 81 yards and three touchdowns in the 33-21 victory.

"It wasn't the best weather," Harris said. "I had over 100 yards in the first half, and then ended up losing yards because we just wanted to run the clock out. Coach (Mike) Martz said, 'I don't care, just protect the football. Get a yard or two and let's get out of here.' And that's what we did. I mean, that was the most carries I ever had at any level.

"It was insane. And that defense was like No. 1 at the time. So if you add every type of stress that you probably could in your first start, I had it."

A Ram for three seasons before finishing his career in Detroit in 2006, what are among Harris' fondest memories from his time with St. Louis?

"I would say being able to win our division (in 2003)," he said. "And it kills me to this day. If (Carolina's) Steve Smith doesn't catch that ball (in the second OT of the divisional playoff game to win, 29-23), I think we go to the Super Bowl.

"That whole rookie year was like a movie where everything played out, being able to win the championship in your division. And as much as I played, and being able to play with the guys around me, it was Yeah, it was priceless."

Harris has stayed involved with the game since his playing days and is a national scout for Prep Redzone, traveling around the country evaluating high school and middle school players. He also owns his own company, Run It Performance, which trains athletes, specifically running backs.

However, he's found that there's nothing like also being a head coach, and recently took that position at Timberland High School, which is part of the Wentzville, (MO) School District.

"I always told my wife, because I pass this school every time I leave my home, it's so close, five minutes, 'That school would probably be the only one that'd make me get back on the sidelines,'" said Harris, who had previously been the head coach at Lutheran St. Charles H.S. in St. Peters. MO, and led his team to the State Championship Class 2 title in 2021.

"I'm friends with the old coach, and saw he'd stepped down. He put out a tweet, and it just shocked me. I didn't think I would have that type of response. I was energized, and said to my wife, 'Is this something that we should pursue?' And so we talked about it with the family, prayed about it, and I applied and got the position.

"I feel the reason why I really like high school because I've had opportunities to coach in college and even help out the pros is because I think this is the most unique time and the most innocent part of football. Because once they graduate, I mean, it's a job, it's a business. So seeing those kids learn that, I love to see it.

"I like being around the boys and to pay it forward because someone did it for me. Our tag is Building Champions for Life, because it's not just being a champion on the field, but in the classroom and at home. I really believe that, and just want to help these young men use football as a vehicle to catapult them in whatever direction they want to go in their life."

Making their home in Wentzville, Harris and his wife, Heather, have three children. Caeli, who graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago and works in fashion. Arlen, Jr. [AJ], who is a student-athlete, playing football at Missouri S&T. And Ayden, who is also a student-athlete, playing football at Kent State.