2. From little-known to all-star
After impressing as a defensive again, Hairston was invited to the 2017 East-West Shrine Bowl.
He caught the eyes of scouts and NFL draft analysts, recording three tackles within the all-star recreation en path to collaborating on the 2017 NFL Scouting Mix.
3. Is aware of Donatell from Denver
Hairston could also be a brand new face in Minnesota’s locker room, however he already is aware of certainly one of his essential coaches.
The 27-year-old has familiarity with new Vikings Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell, who held the identical place with the Broncos from 2019-21.
4. Social justice advocate
Hairston has been concerned locally all through his NFL profession, from his energetic partnership with the Boys & Ladies Golf equipment to creating change whereas selling social justice.
In February, Hairston and Broncos free security Justin Simmons co-wrote an opinion column printed by The Denver Publish. The headline learn “Simmons and Hairston: Police nonetheless arrest children as younger as 10 in Colorado. It is pointless and dangerous.” The opening of the column is beneath:
There may be little we agree on on this nation proper now, however one precept ought to ring true to all of us: youngsters deserve kindness and understanding, a possibility to develop and be taught and thrive. Sadly in America, this isn’t the truth for a lot of youngsters, particularly youngsters of colour. Now we have principally come to simply accept that we’ll have youngsters, and particularly youngsters of colour, in failing faculties. And whereas we’ve made some progress in ending the school-to-prison pipeline, it’s nonetheless alive and effectively all through this nation. Many children see extra police than counselors.
Hairston has a full again tattoo, by which one can pick quite a few significant photos that embody Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali, Rosa Parks and a quote from W.E.B. Du Bois: “Ignorance is a treatment for nothing.” Along with these Civil Rights leaders, the tattoo additionally contains Black Panther from the Marvel superhero sequence.
