Watch: Najee Harris Dons Luchador Mask in Mexico

Steelers running back Najee Harris has been on a tour around Mexico, and one of the main traditions in Mexico is lucha libre, their own specific flair and brand of professional wrestling that has become ingrained in the culture of the country.

Appearing in the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) promotion in Mexico with luchador Atlantis, Harris can be seen donning the traditional mask of a luchador and dancing on his way to the ring.

Atlantis and Pittsburgh Steeler running back Najee Harris pic.twitter.com/wZG0FfZp8p

— luchablog (@luchablog) May 10, 2023

This is one of the promotional events that Najee Harris is participating in on his trip to Mexico. The Steelers have Mexico designation as one of their international home markets. It’s the second straight year that Harris has made a trip there, hosting a skills camp last year.

However, this year, he met up with Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez and gave him a Steelers jersey. Then, he met up with Atlas FC in Guadalajara and was given a shirt from the club. All in all, he has been there multiple days and it could be an effort to gear up for a potential game in Mexico at some point in the next few years.

While the Steelers and Harris will not play there in 2023, it seems like only a matter of time before they travel and play a game there. Estadio Azteca is not available this year due to renovations that stem from the area preparing for the 2026 World Cup. However, after that, the slate is wide open.

Still, they would be unlikely to give up a home game to host in 2024 when they only have eight home games. In 2024, the Steelers play at the Broncos and Raiders, two teams with their own interest in Mexico, but both of those teams also have eight home games. While playing an international game, the team would have given up one home game to do so.

Why go to Mexico, anyway? The Steelers have had a large following in Mexico since the 1970s, when NBC, which carried most of the Steelers games, was first made available in Mexico. So, that lineage has carried down, and trips such as the one Harris is embarking upon lay the groundwork for that community engagement.