Rodney Harrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Rodney Harrison

Harrison in 2021
No. 37
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1972-12-15) December 15, 1972 (age 52) Markham, Illinois, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, Illinois)
College:	Western Illinois
NFL Draft:	1994 / Round: 5 / Pick: 145
Career history
San Diego Chargers (1994) New England Patriots (2003)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXVIII, XXXIX) 2× First-team All-Pro (1998, 2003) Second-team All-Pro (2004) 2× Pro Bowl (1998, 2001) San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team New England Patriots Hall of Fame New England Patriots All-2000s Team New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 1,206 Interceptions: 34 Interception yards: 361 Sacks: 30.5 Forced fumbles: 15 Fumble recoveries: 9 Total touchdowns: 4
Player stats at PFR

Rodney Scott Harrison (born December 15, 1972) is a former American football player. He was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He played for the San Diego Chargers and the New England Patriots.

Rodney Harrison was picked by the Chargers in the 1994 NFL draft. He played for them for nine seasons. Then, he joined the Patriots for six seasons. After leaving the NFL in 2009, he became a commentator for NBC's Football Night in America.

During his career, Harrison was chosen for two Pro Bowl games. He also earned first-team All-Pro honors twice. He holds a special record for defensive backs with the most sacks. He was also the first NFL player to get both 30 sacks and 30 interceptions. Harrison played in four Super Bowls, winning two with the Patriots. He won Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX. Both the Chargers and Patriots honored him by naming him to their 50th Anniversary Teams. In 2019, he was also added to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Football

Rodney Harrison grew up in Chicago Heights, Illinois. He went to Marian Catholic High School. He graduated from high school in 1991. In 2006, his high school retired his No. 37 jersey. However, he actually wore numbers 26, 11, and 3 during his high school games.

College Football Career

Harrison played college football at Western Illinois University. He played there from 1991 to 1993. He holds the school record for the most tackles in a career with 345. He also has the record for most tackles in a single game with 28. As a freshman, he was a second-team All-Gateway Football Conference player. He then became a first-team All-Gateway pick as a sophomore and junior. The Associated Press also named him a second-team All-American as a sophomore. He was a first-team All-American as a junior.

Professional Football Career

Playing for the San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers drafted Rodney Harrison in 1994. He was the 145th player chosen overall. This was the same year the Chargers played in their only Super Bowl (XXIX). They lost that game to the San Francisco 49ers.

Harrison became a starting player for the Chargers in the 1996 season. He was selected for two Pro Bowls while with the Chargers. These were in 1998 and 2001. In 2000, he had his best year with the Chargers. He made 127 tackles and had six interceptions. In his last season with the Chargers in 2002, he started 13 games and made 88 tackles.

Playing for the New England Patriots

Joining the Patriots in 2003

After the 2002 season, the Chargers released Harrison. On March 13, 2003, he signed a six-year contract with the New England Patriots. Before the 2003 season, the Patriots' coaches named Harrison a defensive captain. This was his first year with the team.

In the divisional playoff game on January 10, 2004, Harrison made a key play. He intercepted a pass from Steve McNair of the Tennessee Titans. This led to a touchdown for the Patriots, who won 17–14. The next week, in the AFC Championship Game, Harrison intercepted Peyton Manning. He also forced a fumble from Marvin Harrison.

Rodney Harrison then helped the Patriots win their second championship in three years. They defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, 32–29. Harrison broke his right arm late in the game. But a drive led by Tom Brady and a field goal by Adam Vinatieri secured the win. In his 10th year in the league, Harrison earned his first Super Bowl ring. He was also named to the Associated Press' All-Pro team. He had 140 tackles, the most for a defensive back in 2003.

Winning Another Super Bowl in 2004

The 2004 season was also very successful for Harrison. He helped the Patriots' defense become one of the best in the NFL. For the second year in a row, Harrison led all defensive backs in tackles with 138. He started all sixteen regular season games. He helped the Patriots' secondary, even when key players were injured.

In the playoffs, Harrison intercepted Peyton Manning again. This ended the Colts' last chance in the divisional game. The next week, in the AFC Championship, Harrison intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger. He ran it 87 yards for a touchdown. This helped the Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 41–27. In Super Bowl XXXIX, Harrison had seven tackles and two interceptions against Donovan McNabb. His second interception, with only ten seconds left, helped the Patriots win 24–21. This secured their third championship in four years.

Later Seasons (2005–2008)

The 2005 season brought a series of injuries for Harrison. His season ended on September 25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He tore ligaments in his left knee and was placed on the injured reserve list.

Harrison in 2006

Harrison returned to practice in August 2006. He started the first seven games of the 2006 season. He made 23 tackles and one sack. However, he injured his right shoulder in November and missed six weeks. He returned later but injured his right knee in the final game of the season.

In Super Bowl XLII, which ended the 2007 season, Rodney Harrison was involved in a famous play. David Tyree made a catch known as the "Helmet Catch" over Harrison. This play helped the New York Giants win 17–14. It was the Patriots' only loss that year, preventing a perfect season.

Harrison's 2008 season ended early. In an October 20 game against the Denver Broncos, he tore a muscle in his right leg. He was then placed on injured reserve.

Retirement and Broadcasting Career

Harrison (right) along with colleagues Dan Patrick and Tony Dungy at an NFL game in Denver in September 2013

On June 3, 2009, Rodney Harrison announced he was retiring from football. He then became an analyst for NBC Sports' Football Night in America. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Harrison was one of the best players he had ever coached.

Key Accomplishments and Records

Rodney Harrison achieved many impressive feats during his NFL career:

• In 1997, he became the first NFL player to score touchdowns from an interception return, a fumble return, and a kickoff return in the same season.
• He holds the record for the most sacks (30.5) by any defensive back in NFL history.
• He is the all-time leader in career Super Bowl tackles with 33.
• He had four interceptions in three playoff games during the 2004-05 season.
• His seven playoff interceptions are a Patriots team record.
• He is one of only 12 players in NFL history to record at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks in his career.
• On October 21, 2007, he became the first member of the "30/30 Club." This means he had both 30 interceptions and 30 sacks.
• Fans voted Rodney Harrison as the 29th person to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
• He is set to be inducted into the Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame on October 23, 2025.
• He was named to both the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team and the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team.
• He was also part of the San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season