Former Northwestern University football star Napoleon Harris is running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.

Harris was just elected to the Illinois Senate, but he says he's been getting overwhelming support for his plan to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

Harris is a Dixmoor native who was a first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and played seven seasons in the NFL. He now owns two Beggars Pizza franchises in the Chicago area.

Harris is joining what's expected to be a crowded field bidding to replace Jackson, who resigned last week - citing his ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder.

Harris praised Jackson and says he'd like to continue the work he's done in Congress.