Percy Harvin in Chesapeake: Migraines may be history

CHESAPEAKE

Percy Harvin is headache-free. The Minnesota Vikings receiver hasn't had one of his debilitating migraines in five or six months, he said Friday.

"This is the best I've felt, probably, since I've been in kindergarten," he said.

The Landstown High School graduate has spent the NFL lockout mostly in Gainesville, Fla., where he's been working out preparing for his third pro season. Blissfully absent have been the chronic migraines that caused him to miss two games and dozens of practices last season.

Harvin was reluctant to go into much detail, but is cautiously optimistic he's found long-term relief from a health issue that has dogged him since childhood.

"I met a couple of doctors," he said. "There were a couple of things they found in my neck that I won't get into - some things they found and fixed, along with diet and the rest of the things that can cause them.

"It's been great, and knock on wood, it'll continue."

Harvin is back in town this weekend hosting a free football camp at Landstown today, beginning at 9 a.m for campers age 6 to 12 and 1 p.m. for those 13-18. On Friday, he signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans at Players Sports Nuts, a sports memorabilia store.

Viking purple mixed with the signature purple of the Alzheimer's Association. Store owner Keith Carter, whose mother has the disease, said proceeds from the event will go to the association.

Fans waited in a line that snaked through the store to get a few moments with Harvin, the dynamic former University of Florida star.

Harvin said he gets home a couple of times a year. But for the lockout, he likely wouldn't have made this trip.

Like every NFL player, Harvin's had more time than usual on his hands. He said all the swimming, weight lifting and running he's done has got him in the best shape of his career.

"My explosion is to a whole 'nother level. My speed has gotten back to top-notch level, so I'm feeling great and really anticipating the season," he said.

Yes, the season. The Vikings are coming off a 6-10 one, and will be breaking in a new quarterback with the retirement of Brett Favre.The team took Florida State's Christian Ponder with the 12th pick. Beyond exchanging text messages, Harvin and Ponder have not met. Harvin didn't attend workouts that Ponder organized in Bradenton, Fla., but said it's no big deal.

"It's looking like the lockout might be heading in a good direction, which means me and Ponder will be seeing each other soon, anyway," Harvin said.

Harvin had praise for the Vikings' pick, which many football observers labeled as a reach. He said he trusts that management saw something in Ponder.

Harvin also said Ponder will be in the capable hands of new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, the man behind the development of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

As for his own role in Ponder's development, Harvin said he'll do what he can.

"My job is not to coach. At the same time, I will let him know some of the things me and Brett looked for, some of the routes that we hooked up on," he said. "(But) Ponder's going to have his own deal, his own thing. The last thing I want to do is come in saying, 'Brett this, Brett that', trying to make him look like he's lesser than Brett.

"Brett was his own guy and Ponder will come in and start his legacy."

Harvin's working to establish his in Minnesota, where he caught 71 passes for 861 yards and five touchdowns last season, despite dealing with chronic migraines.

He said today's camp - his first in Virginia - is his way of giving back to the community where he grew up. Harvin kept it free of charge to make it available to anyone.

"The main thing is to come out for fun and have parents not have to worry about money," he said. "Just come out for free and hopefully everything will turn out good."

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com