Friendly fire during football practices often results in nothing more than a few bruises and shared laughs in the locker room. However, there can be severe consequences when it concerns a defender known for his bone-crushing hits. And that’s what happened to the former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Joe Haden.
During a recent episode of Deebo & Joe, James Harrison asked his co-host if he’d ever faced friendly fire. Haden wasted no time in pointing out his collegiate practice session with Major Wright during his time at the Florida Gators.
“Yes, I’ve had friendly fire in practice,” Haden recollected. “Knocked me unconscious. Major Wright, man. Training camp, Florida Gators. All live. Slant. He coming downhill, close his eyes, fired off on me. Bam! I wake up on the sideline, ice pack on my head. I say, ‘Yup, got to be more careful.’”
The blow left Haden unconscious for a brief period before he woke up on the sideline. He likened it to REM, or rapid eye movement, which is a distinct stage of sleep characterized by rapid eye movements and vivid dreaming. But Haden said he remembered experiencing nothing during the brief period.
“I had no dreams. It was nothing,” the cornerback said. “It was just a quiet state… What they call that when you sleep your eyes start flickering? I was in that. That man gave me narcolepsy, man. Major Wright, love you to death. But yeah, me was coming in that thing eyes closed.”
As a 5’11” DB, Wright built his reputation around his physical presence. During his three-year tenure at Florida, he played 41 games and recorded 111 solo tackles and four forced fumbles. He further secured eight interceptions and returned them for 69 yards. In 2010, the Chicago Bears selected him as their first draft pick, and later in 2014, he moved to Tampa Bay. Through seven years in the NFL, Wright played 77 games, recorded nine interceptions, and returned them for 151 yards.
Wright’s fearless mentality and willingness to throw his body around made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opposing receivers. Back in 2009, he explained his mindset after leveling Oklahoma’s wide receiver Manuel Johnson in the first quarter of the BCS National Championship Game. He later explained that “I could’ve easily went for the ball… but I didn’t want the ball. I wanted him.” And that mindset took the Gators to a 24-14 win.
“When you’ve got Major Wright back there, and you see how hard he hits, you play with a lot of confidence because you know he’ll cover for you,” Haden said back in 2009.
Well, Haden’s story is proof that sometimes, it’s the friendly fire that leaves the most terrifying mark. Nevertheless, the cornerback’s respect for the DB remains unwavering.