Rodney Harrison

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Rodney Harrison (born December 15, 1972 in Markham, Illinois) is the starting strong safety for the New England Patriots of the NFL. He was a member of the San Diego Chargers' 1997 #1 ranked defense. Unfortunately, the offense, led by Ryan Leaf (considered by many to be the biggest bust in NFL history), was ranked near the bottom of the league and the team finshed last in the AFC West.

Related Topics:
December 15 - 1972 - Markham, Illinois - Strong safety - New England Patriots - NFL - San Diego Chargers - Ryan Leaf - AFC

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Hard-hitting, intense and emotional, he is considered by many to be a dirty player, though he says he is simply playing football. Although no such records are kept by the league, he is believed to hold the record for most times fined by the league for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct.

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He arrived in New England in the offseason of 2003, taking the spot left vacant by Lawyer Milloy who went to archrival Buffalo. Harrison helped New England lead the NFL in scoring defense that year and second in 2004. In the 2003 Divisional playoff game against the Tennessee Titans, he intercepted Steve McNair. The interception would set up Antowain Smith's touchdown as New England would go on to win 17-14. In the AFC Championship game the next week against the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison picked off Peyton Manning in the end zone and forced a Marvin Harrison fumble that teammate Tyrone Poole recovered. The Pats would stymie the offensive-minded Colts 24-14. Helped New England beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, 32-29. He was injured in the game.

Related Topics:
Lawyer Milloy - Buffalo - Tennessee Titans - Steve McNair - Antowain Smith - AFC - Indianapolis Colts - Peyton Manning - Marvin Harrison - Tyrone Poole - Carolina Panthers - Super Bowl XXXVIII

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The 2004 season showed another fine performance by the Charger exile. Some believe he can be motivated quite easily when opponents say nasty things about him or his team. A few days before the 2004 Divisional Playoff game between the Colts and Patriots, Harrison dubbed Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt the name "Vanderjerk" after the brash kicker said the defending champs were "ripe for the picking." New England proved in the actual game they weren't as they mystified the Colts again, this time by a score of 20-3. This was against the NFL's number one ranked offense and MVP Peyton Manning who threw 49 touchdowns during the year. Harrison intercepted Manning late in the game to crush the last chance Indianapolis ever had of scoring a touchdown. The next week in the AFC Championship, Harrison jumped a Ben Roethlisberger pass and took it 87 yards for a touchdown helping the Pats defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-27. During the Super Bowl week, Harrison got into a verbal feud with Philadelphia Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell after Mitchell claimed he had something for Harrison and he didn't know the names of the New England secondary. Harrison and the Patriots would make Mitchell and the Eagles remember them in the real Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXXIX, as he would record seven tackles, a sack, and two interceptions of quarterback Donovan McNabb. The second one with ten seconds left in the game preserved a 24-21 Patriot win, ensuring a third championship in four years.

Related Topics:
Mike Vanderjagt - Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers - Philadelphia Eagles - Freddie Mitchell - Super Bowl XXXIX - Donovan McNabb

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In a game on September 25, 2005 vs. the Steelers, Harrison was hit in the knee by a falling Pittsburgh receiver and tore the ACL, MCL, and PCL in his left knee. This injury has conclusively ended his 2005-2006 season, and may end his career at age 32.

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