COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- New England Patriots linebacker David Harris turns 34 in January, which sparked a question to him this week during the team's extended stay at the Air Force Academy: What is keeping him going in the NFL?

He didn't hesitate with the response.

"I still love the game. Also, I'm trying to win. I had a long career and still have that fire to go out and play on Sunday, so I'm going to keep doing it as long as I can," he said.

A longtime member of the New York Jets who signed a two-year free-agent contract with the Patriots in June, Harris didn't contribute much to the Patriots through the first seven games of the season, playing just seven defensive snaps. Things changed after [Dont'a] Hightower was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle, as Harris played 19, 21 and 30 snaps in the past three games.

Regardless of whether he has been on the field or not, the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Harris has won over many with the Patriots, including coach Bill Belichick.

"He's been a great teammate, great guy to embrace his role, prepare for his role and gives us everything he's got with whatever we ask him to do. Couldn’t ask for anything more than what he's doing," Belichick said. "David's very professional, works hard, very thorough at preparing for his job and does a good job of communication. He's got a lot of experience, seen a lot of football, so it all comes pretty quickly to him."

Harris, who is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, shares his "football journey" as part of ESPN.com's weekly feature.

When he first started playing football: "Organized football, I was 10 years old, the fifth grade, but I remember playing outside even younger than that with my friends in the neighborhood. My love for football came from my brother [Timothy Jr.]. Every Saturday morning, we used to watch the Michigan game ... watching [Tom] Brady, which is crazy."

Favorite players growing up: "Derrick Thomas. That was from playing Nintendo Super Tecmo Bowl, and I used to always play with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a monster coming off the edge. I used to love watching him play."

Favorite NFL team growing up: "I didn’t really have one, but being from Michigan, I loved watching Barry Sanders play. It was can't-miss TV, because he could always do something special every game."

Role models in his life: "My brother. He also played football, up to the college level. He's the one that started my love for the game. And my parents, as well [Timothy Sr. and Shirley], because they worked their butts off to be able to provide for me and my siblings. They did a lot of sacrificing to make sure that we were able to play sports."

Top football memories at Ottawa Hills High School: "Probably senior year, just the way guys trained going in the season, because our junior year, we weren't very good -- 2-7. There weren't high expectations for that next year, but we busted our tails and ended up going to the playoffs."

Enrolling at Michigan: "Coach [Lloyd] Carr offered me the first day at the University of Michigan football camp, going into senior year. After the meeting, I called my dad and told him the news. He said, 'Take it!' So I pretty much accepted on the spot. A lot of teams in the Big 10 offered me, a couple in the MAC, but it was always Michigan. Florida State and Nebraska were the other two teams I enjoyed watching."

Top football memories at Michigan: "The games. The Rose Bowls we went to; unfortunately, we didn't win any of those, played against some great teams across the country -- Texas when Vince Young was there, USC teams with Matt Leinart. A lot of big games."

Why Michigan is special to him: "When you get there, you become a man. You learn so much stuff about yourself. You learn about adversity, perseverance, because nothing is given to you. You have to earn everything there. With the tradition there, it's a lot of pressure, but you welcome it because of all the great players before you. At my position, guys like Sam Sword, Jarrett Irons, Bobby Morrison. So many great players come through there. I've known the tradition since I was a kid."

Selected in the 2007 second round by the Jets: "I didn’t really know where I was going to land. I thought maybe 3-4 [scheme] teams, because they really needed linebackers. The Patriots were one, because Tedy Bruschi was towards the end of his career. The Broncos, because Al Wilson, he had just injured his neck and was forced to retire. San Diego, because Donnie Edwards' career was close to ending. I had no idea I was going to the Jets."

Top football memories with the Jets from 2007 to 2016: "Those two years we went to the AFC Championship. Those were two fun years, playing for Rex [Ryan]; he's a great defensive mind who helps guys maximize their talents. We created havoc for offenses, blitzing so much."

Jets release him and he signs with the Patriots as a free agent: "At this stage of my career, it wasn't about the money. I wanted what would give me the best chance at winning. There is no better place than here. Once Coach Belichick showed interested, I already knew where I was going. There were about five, six other teams that were very serious, but at the end of the day, I weighed the options, talked to my wife and it was, 'Let's make it happen.'"

How challenging was it to not play much early with the Patriots: "It was tough because I came in so late, I was playing catch-up in training camp. That's tough for anyone, even an 11-year veteran. But the guys in the room -- Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Jonathan Freeny -- they didn't hesitate to help me to pick up things and what to look for within the defense."

What he loves about the game of football: "Just the competitiveness, the day-in and day-out grind, and usually how it comes down to the player or team that is the most mentally tough. I love that challenge."

Saluting his best teammate: "The support of my wife, Jiali; she's my rock. She has always been there for me, ever since we started going together after sophomore year in college. With the move in the offseason -- from back to Michigan, New Jersey, to Massachusetts -- she was very strong with everything. She's been very supportive."

Summing up his football journey: "It's been great. I learned a lot of lessons about myself, dealing with other people. Football can teach you a lot of things about life, as well -- a lot of morals and basic principles that you can carry from the field into your everyday life. It's been a fun ride. I've been fortunate to be able to play on the highest level of football, which is a lot of our dreams as a kid. I lived my dream every day."