“Sean Payton is not a loser.”
With that sentence, Shelby Harris showed why he has a bright future as a broadcaster. Harris talks bluntly, an outgrowth of his big personality. He talks wisely, his encyclopedic knowledge fueled by watching countless sporting events. And he talks regularly, using podcast platforms as an outlet for his opinions.
Harris remains an active NFL player with the Browns. The defensive tackle headed to Cleveland on Sunday to begin training camp for his 10th season. He has no plans to retire. He still loves to hit. And he likes to talk.
So, why not do both?
Harris is not waiting until his playing career is over to begin his second chapter. He hosted the “Shel-Shocked” podcast while with the Broncos and Seahawks. And as he maps out his next step in Cleveland, Harris invested in Guerilla Sports, an upstart Denver media outlet providing high-end video content on Colorado’s professional teams.
“I really enjoy all of it, being able to be involved with everything this can offer. I love to talk sports. That’s the part of the media I know and I am learning more about the rest,” Harris told The Post. “I see all the potential in Guerilla. It is very innovative, and the product they put out is great quality. Being part of this team, the sky’s the limit.”
The Broncos traded Harris in the Russell Wilson deal in 2022. When his wife first mentioned that it could happen a few weeks prior, he dismissed the idea. Harris did not want it to be true because he enjoyed playing for the Broncos. Still, he could not help himself after Seattle won the season opener over Denver, trolling his former team.
“All I can say is, ‘Let’s Ride!’” Harris said in his on-field postgame interview.
Harris’ pro football journey began with the Raiders as a seventh-round draft choice in 2014. But his career really started in Denver in 2017. That’s when he became a starter and quickly evolved into an impact player — he secured a three-year, $27 million contract before the 2021 season — and fan favorite.
In Denver, Harris played with emotion — he wasn’t afraid to unload on refs and teammates. Unfiltered, funny, accessible and accountable, he developed a good relationship with the reporters who inspired him to explore media options.
“I was treated fairly, and got to know them. That made it easy. I didn’t mind talking,” Harris said. “And they realized that win or lose, I was going to give an honest answer.”
The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala, a former Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post and The Athletic, explained that Harris was “genuine and consistent.” Her experience covering Harris also offered insight into why he appears a good fit in the new media space that includes athletes, both current and former.
“I think the thing I loved most about covering him was that he treated the media like everyone else. So you could have a normal conversation about family, basketball, shoes — whatever it may be,” Jhabvala said. “And when I got really sick a few years ago, he was one of the first people to text me, just to say he was thinking of me and praying for me. Meant a lot.”
Brandon Krisztal of KOA Radio has covered the NFL 22 seasons. He has witnessed many former Broncos transition into broadcasting like Alfred Williams, Mark Schlereth and Tyler Polumbus. He remembers interviewing Harris and thinking the obvious.
“Shelby is one of two players I have ever talked to and knew immediately that he would be a great sports talk show host in whatever form that took,” Krisztal said. “So, a couple of years ago when I approached him about doing a podcast, he was not only into it, but was really good right away.”
The idea of an active player hosting a podcast was unfathomable a decade ago. NFL coaches would rather eat tin foil than deal with distractions. But the landscape is changing.
“I am sure in some cases it still depends on the coach. But it also depends on you. If you are putting in the time in practice and studying, I think you can do a podcast for 30 minutes,” Harris said. “I think I have proven that.”
Kristzal, an investor in Guerrilla Sports, connected Harris with Blake Rubenstein. Rubenstein founded Guerrilla Capturing, a private company that serves video production needs in advertising and media, 16 years ago. Its growth and the purchase of an office with a studio helped hatch the idea of venturing into sports. Harris and his wife, Stephanie, clicked with Rubenstein, saw the vision.
“They asked a lot of questions about the business. I didn’t approach them about investing. It was about needing the right fit and the right people. We have a really good team, and we wanted people to bring more than just money to the table,” Rubenstein said. “I could see right away that Shelby knows everything about sports. Their whole family is into sports. With their family values, we really connected.”
When it comes to the media, Harris is serious. He attended the NFL broadcast media bootcamp this offseason, leaving him dreaming of serving as a color analyst on radio broadcasts.
“Football ends for everyone. It’s hard to find something to pivot to where you can have the same amount of passion and be good,” Harris said. “With practice and how much I like it, I feel like I can replicate in the media what I have done in football.”
Harris and his wife live in the Denver area with their four children, Kamayi (17), Caydn (8), Evelyn (5) and Shelby Jr. (3). He wants to keep playing so they can experience this ride with him, which included playoff berths the past two seasons.
“It’s a blessing that they can grow up in football around professional athletes and see that work ethic,” Harris said. “My dad wasn’t in my life. So, I take being a parent very seriously.”
Harris had to run. He had one last dinner with the family before the start of training camp. But before he left, he looked around the studio and declared, “There is so much possible here. It’s not about one thing. It’s about doing multiple things well.”
Kind of like Harris himself.
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