EAGAN, Minn. -- The player nicknamed the “Hit Man” rarely gets emotional.
As Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith reflected on linebacker Anthony Barr’s decision to turn down millions with the New York Jets to return to Minnesota in free agency, his voice drew quiet while he relayed just how deeply moved he was by the decision of his long-time teammate.
“I was pretty pumped about it. A guy making a choice like that, it was pretty big,” Smith said, choking up momentarily. “It doesn’t happen a lot in pro sports, even if it’s a couple million dollars, which means different things to different people.