Harry Carson is now a “man among men”

By Darrell Laurant  |   Tuesday, February 07, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
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On February 4th, Harry Carson became the 28th player with New York Giant ties to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And despite his frustration over a 13-year wait (he twice wrote the Hall selection committee asking that his name be taken off the list), the former middle linebacker plans to be in Canton for the induction ceremonies in late summer.

"To not show up," he said, "would be to disrespect all those people who worked to get me there."

Over the years, Carson has become accustomed to having to prove himself.

Back in Florence, SC - where he grew up - his football career almost ended before it really began. During Carson's senior year, he and his coach developed a personality conflict that culminated in angry words and a shoving match. Carson was thrown off the team.

Word got around, and most colleges were afraid to take a chance on a young man with a bad reputation, despite the fact that Carson was considered the best prep defensive player in South Carolina.

Willie Jeffries of South Carolina State did take a chance.

"I knew Harry wasn't a bad kid," Jeffries said. "It was just one of those things -- he let his temper get the best of him, and I believed he had learned his lesson."

Carson rewarded Jeffries with four solid years, earning Little All-American honors as a defensive end and being picked fourth in the 1976 draft by the Giants.

Still, as a rookie from a small school, he had to prove himself all over again. But Carson rose to the occasion, carving out a solid 12-year career in New York blue. As a middle linebacker, he led the team in tackles five times, was named to nine Pro Bowls, and registered seven tackles in Super Bowl XXII, a 39-20 victory over Denver.

"He played middle linebacker like a man among boys," said former teammate Carl Banks.

Still, it took him 13 years of eligibility before he finally realized his dream of induction at Canton. And unlike the challenges of his playing days, this was something over which Carson had no control.

Giant's CEO John Mara couldn't understand it either.

"He was as deserving as any player this franchise has ever had," Mara said.

Carson always attends the Pro Bowl activities in Honolulu, and it was shortly after stepping off the plane there last week that someone came up and congratulated him on his Hall of Fame honor.

"I thought they were pulling my leg," Carson said. "I couldn't believe it."

Now, he's no longer a man among boys. He's a man among men.
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