Gold Jacket Spotlight: Versatile Harry Carson found NFL fit at linebacker
“HARRY CARSON was the kind of athlete who could just about name his position on the field.”
Vinny DiTrani, a writer for the Bergen Record, made that observation prior to the 1976 NFL Draft as a trio of teams had penciled in Harry – a defensive end at South Carolina State – as a potential tight end (Cowboys), pulling guard (Falcons) or defensive end (Steelers) in the pros. The team that selected him in the fourth round, the New York Giants, requested Harry report to camp early so they could initiate the process of converting him to linebacker.
Harry mastered the position, resulting in his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and into this week’s Gold Jacket Spotlight.
Marty Schottenheimer, at the time the Giants’ linebackers coach, believed Harry’s athleticism and intelligence would serve the player well in the transition, stating, “He has all the ability. He’s big, tough, he’s quick and he learns quickly. It’s just a matter of time.”
That time came soon. As a rookie, Harry started eight games. He was the full-time starter by his second season.
“Middle linebacker in the NFL is more a mental position than a physical one,” Harry explained told Football Digest. “It’s a lot of studying, a lot of split-second decisions that have to be made. You make one mistake, and you’re beaten on that play, so you have to decide instinctively on the right move. It’s difficult.”
Midway through the Harry’s rookie season in 1976, Giants’ head coach John McVay offered, “He’s doing a great job already. And he’s only scratching the surface of his potential.”
The coaches weren’t alone in their assessments. Harry was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team in 1976 and would collect nine Pro Bowl selections during his 13 pro seasons, all with the Giants.
The recognition was well-deserved, yet Harry’s appreciation was directed toward the opportunity to play professional football.
“That’s why when anybody asks me what has been my most satisfying moment in football, I tell them that I get the most satisfaction just out of being here, playing football in the NFL,” he told sportswriter Jack Hand in 1979.
Amid the Giants’ struggles – a sub-.500 record in seven of Harry’s initial eight years with the team – he once offered to forgo his pay from a game, declaring he would be “stealing” money if he accepted the pay in light of his poor performance during a 35-3 loss in a “Monday Night Football” game against Philadelphia.
Although Harry might have been disappointed in his play against the Eagles, their head coach and future Hall of Famer DICK VERMEIL noticed Harry’s overall performances. It prompted Giants teammate George Martin to recall Vermeil observing, “I can’t tell you what the prototypical linebacker would look like, but … that middle linebacker has to wear No. 53.”
BILL PARCELLS became the Giants head coach prior to the 1983 season and, after a difficult initial season, guided the team to three consecutive playoff appearances that culminated in a Super Bowl XXI victory following the 1986 season. He relied heavily on Harry’s leadership abilities.
“I don’t think a day has gone by where I didn’t talk to him about something,” Parcells told writer Peter King in 1987. “I burdened him with a lot of things, and, in all honesty, I probably shouldn’t. I ask him to fix things he doesn’t even know are broken. But I do it anyway because I know he can take it.”
The Hall of Fame coach told the New York Post’s Hank Gola, “I might be prejudiced, but you’re talking about one of the greatest guys to ever play the game,” when describing Harry.
Those character comments and similar observations from other teammates, opposing players and coaches were of the utmost importance to Harry when he told NFL Films President STEVE SABOL (Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020), “As long as you walk away with the respect of your peers and the people you played against, that’s the most important thing that any player can have.”
Respect, honors and success on and off the field all resulted in Harry earning a Gold Jacket, Bronzed Bust and Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence.
Vinny DiTrani, a writer for the Bergen Record, made that observation prior to the 1976 NFL Draft as a trio of teams had penciled in Harry – a defensive end at South Carolina State – as a potential tight end (Cowboys), pulling guard (Falcons) or defensive end (Steelers) in the pros. The team that selected him in the fourth round, the New York Giants, requested Harry report to camp early so they could initiate the process of converting him to linebacker.
Harry mastered the position, resulting in his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and into this week’s Gold Jacket Spotlight.
Marty Schottenheimer, at the time the Giants’ linebackers coach, believed Harry’s athleticism and intelligence would serve the player well in the transition, stating, “He has all the ability. He’s big, tough, he’s quick and he learns quickly. It’s just a matter of time.”
That time came soon. As a rookie, Harry started eight games. He was the full-time starter by his second season.
“Middle linebacker in the NFL is more a mental position than a physical one,” Harry explained told Football Digest. “It’s a lot of studying, a lot of split-second decisions that have to be made. You make one mistake, and you’re beaten on that play, so you have to decide instinctively on the right move. It’s difficult.”
Midway through the Harry’s rookie season in 1976, Giants’ head coach John McVay offered, “He’s doing a great job already. And he’s only scratching the surface of his potential.”
The coaches weren’t alone in their assessments. Harry was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team in 1976 and would collect nine Pro Bowl selections during his 13 pro seasons, all with the Giants.
The recognition was well-deserved, yet Harry’s appreciation was directed toward the opportunity to play professional football.
“That’s why when anybody asks me what has been my most satisfying moment in football, I tell them that I get the most satisfaction just out of being here, playing football in the NFL,” he told sportswriter Jack Hand in 1979.
Amid the Giants’ struggles – a sub-.500 record in seven of Harry’s initial eight years with the team – he once offered to forgo his pay from a game, declaring he would be “stealing” money if he accepted the pay in light of his poor performance during a 35-3 loss in a “Monday Night Football” game against Philadelphia.
Although Harry might have been disappointed in his play against the Eagles, their head coach and future Hall of Famer DICK VERMEIL noticed Harry’s overall performances. It prompted Giants teammate George Martin to recall Vermeil observing, “I can’t tell you what the prototypical linebacker would look like, but … that middle linebacker has to wear No. 53.”
BILL PARCELLS became the Giants head coach prior to the 1983 season and, after a difficult initial season, guided the team to three consecutive playoff appearances that culminated in a Super Bowl XXI victory following the 1986 season. He relied heavily on Harry’s leadership abilities.
“I don’t think a day has gone by where I didn’t talk to him about something,” Parcells told writer Peter King in 1987. “I burdened him with a lot of things, and, in all honesty, I probably shouldn’t. I ask him to fix things he doesn’t even know are broken. But I do it anyway because I know he can take it.”
The Hall of Fame coach told the New York Post’s Hank Gola, “I might be prejudiced, but you’re talking about one of the greatest guys to ever play the game,” when describing Harry.
Those character comments and similar observations from other teammates, opposing players and coaches were of the utmost importance to Harry when he told NFL Films President STEVE SABOL (Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020), “As long as you walk away with the respect of your peers and the people you played against, that’s the most important thing that any player can have.”
Respect, honors and success on and off the field all resulted in Harry earning a Gold Jacket, Bronzed Bust and Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence.
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