Steelers RB Najee Harris declares he's not 'fat as hell' amid weight-gain flap

Najee Harris would like you to know that he's not "fat as hell."

The second-year Pittsburgh Steelers running back is in the midst of a weight-gain flap after a report last week that he checked in at 244 pounds. The Steelers list Harris at 232 pounds, leading to the simple mathematical conclusion that at some point he packed on 12 pounds.

Running backs gaining weight is rarely a good sign for their performance. The news has caused a minor panic that the 2021 first-round pick may be at risk of declining from his Pro Bowl rookie campaign that saw him tally 1,200 yards on the ground.

Harris addressed the concern with reporters on Tuesday at his locker. He didn't deny that he weighs 244 pounds. Rather, he told reporters that he played last season at 242 pounds, not the 232 pounds declared on his Steelers bio. And he intends to cut down to 242 in time for the season.

He also blamed "y'all" for ginning up the weight-gain storyline while pointing to reporters. He said all of this with a smile on his face.

This isn't the first time Harris has criticized the reporting about his weight. He pushed back on social media last week upon the initial report of his 244-pound weigh-in.

If we're taking Harris for his word, he set the record straight on Tuesday. And he doesn't seem that mad about the ordeal. But he understandably wants things to be reported accurately. Now, if he can only convince the Steelers to change the weight on his bio page.