Napoleon Harris
A linebacker turned state senator, he tackles policy in Illinois with the same determination he showed on the football field.
Born 1979 (age 47)·American football player and politician·Birthday: February 25·Generation X
Biography
Napoleon Harris didn't just change careers; he built a second life in public service on the foundation of his first. Growing up in Chicago, his athletic prowess took him to Northwestern University and then to the NFL, where he played linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings over seven seasons. After hanging up his cleats, he returned to his home state, channeling his discipline and community focus into business and politics. He opened a pizza franchise and later founded his own financial services firm, understanding the economic realities of his district firsthand. Elected to the Illinois Senate in 2012, Harris represents a diverse swath of Chicago's south suburbs, advocating for criminal justice reform, economic development, and education with a practical, constituent-driven approach. His journey from Sunday tackles to Springfield debates embodies a distinctly American path of reinvention.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Napoleon was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Napoleon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Napoleon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Elected to the Illinois Senate in 2012, representing the 15th district which includes numerous south Chicago suburbs.
- Played seven seasons in the NFL as a linebacker for teams including the Raiders, Chiefs, and Vikings.
- Founded a successful financial services company after his football career, focusing on investment and insurance.
Did You Know?
He was a first-round draft pick (23rd overall) by the Oakland Raiders in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Harris majored in communications and played basketball in addition to football at Northwestern University.
He owns and operates a Beggar's Pizza franchise in the Chicago area.
“The NFL taught me discipline, but politics is about listening to your community.”
