Denver Broncos’ Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Is a Huge Future Fan

The Denver Broncos ended the season as the best team in the AFC conference of the NFL. Ending the season at 12-4, the football team are lead by their top ranked defense, which features one of the best secondaries in the league. Among the standouts of the Broncos' secondary is All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris, Jr. who made the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row.

Harris is one of the best corners in the entire league and has the stats to back it up. So what gets him pumped up before games? XXL spoke to the Tulsa, Okla. native over the phone just days before his team faces the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship this Sunday (Jan. 24). The athlete is a huge Future fan. He turns to the ATL rapper to get pumped up before games in hopes of winning. But that's not all. There are more than a few other rappers (and even some R&B dudes) on Harris' playlist.

The 26-year-old seems to be the go-to guy for music in the locker room too. According to him, there's one player on the team that doesn't have the same finesse he does when it comes to selecting the best tracks. So leave it to Harris to set the vibe.

Read on to find out which one of his teammates has the worst taste in music, the rapper with the best album last year, the artist he compares himself to on the field and the song he needs to hear playing if he wins the Super Bowl.

XXL: What do you listen to so you get pumped up before games?

Chris Harris, Jr.: Got to always have Rick Ross. Young Thug is actually on my playlist, he’s been making a lot of good songs. Future is always on there.

Why those three in particular?

They just get me amped up. A lot of guys listen to calm music but I listen to Future because he always has the best beats and he just get your adrenaline running and ready for the game. “March Madness,” “New Level” those are my go-tos right now.

Did you grow up a hip-hop fan?

My dad is huge on music so he always made tapes from his friends. That’s how I got into music. Still to this day that’s all I do, just listen to music. I kind of inherited his gene of bumping music. I loved Lil Wayne growing up he was like the king when I was growing up. I remember “Fireman” that was one of my favorite songs.

Did you ever consider being a rapper?

No, but definitely DJ though.

You ever pursue being a DJ?

Nah, I never really have the time but if we’re at a family event, they always count on me to choose the music. Once I retire, I would definitely love to be a DJ. That would be fun.

Sounds like you take control of the music in the locker room.

Oh yeah, I do the music in the locker room and the stadium. [The stadium personnel] gives me a list and I just fill out the list every week with whatever is new. My teammates don’t even care, they just tell me to do it. I picked the playlist for the pregame and locker room.

What is it like to be a part of the Broncos organization? That’s a premier franchise.

Its awesome, man Especially just winning; that’s something we always wanted to do. Right now we have a big opportunity to get this win this week and advance. Just playing for the Broncos, you’re always on the biggest stage. Always prime time television so that’s something I really love about playing for the Broncos.

It's pretty safe to assume growing up your goal and dream was to play in the NFL?

The goal was to play in the NFL. But actually growing up I didn’t really love football until I got to high school. I mainly wanted to play in the NBA but I just turned out to be better in football so I went in that direction.

Wow, that’s interesting. Was it hard for you to come to that conclusion?

Oh yeah, it was definitely hard 'cause one thing my coaches had to tell me, they had to put it in my head, "You’re better at football."

Is there a rapper that reminds you of your game on the football field?

I would say kind of like Meek Mill, I try to be nasty like how he raps. I definitely try to have that same attitude that he brings to his rhymes.

If you win the Super Bowl and there was one song in the background playing, what would that song be?

“March Madness.” Got to have that.

Tell me what goes through your mind when you hear that?

It’s just one of those feelings when you immediately get your head bopping. The beat, just the way it goes it just get you to start dancing and you won’t even know it.

So turn up before the game, what about after?

Definitely some vibing music, a lot of Drake, Bryson Tiller, Jeremih. I like to wind down after the game.

So what do you think was the best album last year?

I would say [Future's] DS2, there are so many songs on there.

So from what I learned so far, your taste in music is the best among the Broncos. So who has the worst taste of music in the locker room?

I would say Antonio Smith because he wants to listen to nothing but old school.

You’re not a fan of old school?

I am, but not everyday. He listens to old '70s or '80s music all the time [laughs].

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