Harry Carson facts for kids
Carson in 2008
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | November 26, 1953 Florence, South Carolina, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 237 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Florence (SC) Wilson | ||||||||||
| College: | South Carolina State (1972–1975) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1976 / Round: 4 / Pick: 105 | ||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Harry Donald Carson (born November 26, 1953) is a famous American former football player. He played his entire career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). Harry Carson is recognized for his amazing skills and leadership on the field. He was honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. Later, he joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2018, he was also inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Harry Carson was born in Florence, South Carolina. He grew up playing football in his home state. He attended Wilson High School. Later, he graduated from McClenaghan High School. These early years helped him develop his football talents.
College Football Career
After high school, Harry Carson went to South Carolina State University. He played college football there from 1972 to 1975. He never missed a single game during his four years. In 1976, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
Carson was an outstanding player in college. He was the first player in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to win "defensive player of the year" two times in a row. He helped his team, the Bulldogs, win conference championships back-to-back. In 1975, he set school records with 117 tackles and 17 sacks. With Carson as their captain, the Bulldogs' defense was incredibly strong. They had six shutouts in 1975. They also allowed opponents to score only 29 points, which was an NCAA record. In 2002, Harry Carson was honored by being added to the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Playing in the NFL
Joining the New York Giants
After his successful college career, the New York Giants picked Harry Carson in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft. He played all 13 of his professional seasons with the Giants. He was a key player, leading the team in tackles for five seasons. Even more impressively, he served as the team captain for ten seasons.
The "Crunch Bunch" and Super Bowl Win
Harry Carson was part of a famous group of linebackers called the "Crunch Bunch." This group included Carson, Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, and Lawrence Taylor. Many people consider them one of the best defensive groups in NFL history. He was also a member of the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew" defense.
Carson was selected for the Pro Bowl nine times during his career. He intercepted 11 passes and recovered 14 fumbles. He also scored one defensive touchdown. He officially recorded eight quarterback sacks. However, if you include his earlier seasons, his total is 19 sacks. He retired after the 1988 season. Two years before that, he helped the Giants win their first Super Bowl XXI. In that game, Carson made seven tackles for the winning team.
Starting the Gatorade Shower Tradition
Harry Carson was one of the first players to start the "Gatorade shower" tradition. This is when players dump a cooler of Gatorade on their coach after a big win. His teammate Jim Burt actually started the practice in 1985. Carson wrote about it in his 1987 book, Point of Attack: The Defense Strikes Back. Bill Parcells, who was the Giants' coach, even had Carson stand by him during the national anthem for good luck.
Bill Belichick, a coach who later won many Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, said Harry Carson was the best all-around linebacker he ever coached.
Becoming a Hall of Famer
Harry Carson was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. This was a big honor. Before his selection, he had openly shared his thoughts about how players are chosen for the Hall of Fame. He felt that players and coaches should have more say, not just the media. In 2004, he even asked for his name to be removed from the ballot.
Despite his earlier frustrations, Carson accepted his induction in 2006. He gave a speech, saying he was very humbled. He also shared a special memory from Super Bowl XXI:
The Hall of Fame will never validate me. I know my name will be in there, but I take greater pride in the fact that my teammates looked at me as someone they could count on. I still remember, and I will remember this for the rest of my life, the Super Bowl against Denver. We had three captains—me, Phil Simms and George Martin. But when it came time for the coin toss before the game, I started to go out and looked around for those guys. Bill Parcells said to me: 'No. You go. Just you.' And that was about the coolest feeling I've ever had in the world—going out to midfield for the Super Bowl, as the lone captain. There were nine Denver Broncos out there, and me. Just me. An awesome responsibility. The greatest respect.
During his Hall of Fame speech, Harry Carson talked about the importance of the NFL taking care of its former players. He believes the league should do more to support those who helped make football popular. He said, "I would hope that the leaders of the NFL... do a much better job of looking out for those individuals." Carson has been a strong voice for player well-being, especially regarding brain health after playing football. He has even suggested that young kids might want to consider other sports due to the possible long-term effects of head impacts.
Life After Football
Continuing Involvement with Football
Even after retiring from playing, Harry Carson has stayed very involved with the Giants. He has also had a successful career in sports broadcasting. He co-hosts "Giants 1st & 10" on Madison Square Garden Network. He also has his own company, Harry Carson Inc., which focuses on sports consulting and promotions. He was even a part-owner of an Arena Football League team, the New Jersey Red Dogs.
Advocacy and Recognition
Harry Carson is a strong advocate for people living with brain injuries. He believes it's important to speak up for those who might not have a voice. On May 17, 2015, he was a speaker at New York University School of Professional Studies. Two days later, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. This honor recognized his important work in advocating for player health.
Carson has lived in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey for a long time.
Health and Player Safety
Dealing with Past Injuries
Since he stopped playing, Harry Carson has experienced various physical challenges from his football career. In 1990, he was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. He estimates he had about 15 concussions during his time playing in high school, college, and professionally. He has spoken openly about how these injuries have affected him. In 1992, he shared, "I don't think as clearly as I used to." In 2001, he mentioned that he would sometimes mispronounce words or lose his train of thought while broadcasting.
Sharing His Story
In 2011, Carson wrote his second book, "Captain for Life." In this book, he shared his personal experiences with post-concussion syndrome. He was one of the first former athletes to talk about the long-term effects of head injuries. This was years before the topic became widely discussed.
Carson has said he has "managed" the long-term effects of concussions. He is very critical of the NFL and questions whether tackle football should be played at young ages. He believes the risks of concussions and other head impacts are not fully understood.
Supporting Youth Safety
In March 2018, Harry Carson joined other former NFL stars to support an initiative called "Flag Football Under 14." This group recommends that kids do not play tackle football before the age of 14. They are concerned about the brain health of young players. Carson stated, "I did not play tackle football until high school, I will not allow my grandson to play until 14, as I believe it is not an appropriate sport for young children."
