Harry Carson, a former linebacker for the New York Giants, Super Bowl XXI champion, and a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Here's Everything You Need To Know About Harry Carson.
Harry Donald Carson was born on November 26, 1953, in South Carolina. He played his college career at South Carolina State University. From 1972 to 1975, Harry never missed a game for the South Carolina State Bulldogs. With his direct involvement, the team became the conference champions in 1974 and 1975. In the 1975 season, the defense, led by Carson as captain, held opponents scoreless in six out of ten games. Harry was twice named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year. In 2002, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame for his achievements with the Bulldogs.
In the 1976 NFL Draft, the Giants selected Carson in the fourth round, and he spent his entire professional career with the team, playing thirteen seasons, ten of which he served as the defensive captain. Alongside Lawrence Taylor, Brian Kelley, and Brad Van Pelt, they formed the linebacker unit known as the "Crunch Bunch," one of the best defensive units in history. Carson earned nine Pro Bowl invitations and was twice named to the First-team All-Pro. In the 1986 season, he won Super Bowl XXI with the Giants. Among Carson's legacies is the tradition of pouring Gatorade over the coach after winning games. The idea belonged to his teammate Jim Burt, and Harry started doing it regularly. In 2006, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bill Belichick, who spent twelve years on the Giants' coaching staff, called Carson the best all-around linebacker he ever worked with.
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After retiring, Harry maintained close ties with the franchise and worked as a commentator for Giants' games. He later became a co-owner of the New Jersey Red Dogs in the Arena Football League and opened his own sports agency. Carson is also known as an active advocate for football safety. Throughout his career, he suffered at least fifteen concussions. In 1990, he was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Currently, Harry supports a program to ban contact football for children under the age of fourteen and strongly criticizes the NFL's attempts to settle lawsuits filed by former players who have experienced serious health issues.