Harry Carson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Carson was born in Florence, South Carolina, and graduated from McClenaghan High School. He attended South Carolina State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1976. He played college football for Willie Jeffries from 1972 to 1975, not missing a single game. He was the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference player to win consecutive defensive player of the year honors and helped the Bulldogs to consecutive conference championships. In 1975, he was a first-team AFCA College-Division All-America selection and set school records with 117 tackles and 17 sacks. As captain, the Bulldogs defense recorded six shutouts and held opponents to 29 points, an NCAA record for a ten-game season. He was drafted 105th overall in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft by the Giants and spent all 13 seasons with them. He led the team in tackles for five seasons and served as captain for ten. He was a member of the Crunch Bunch (with Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, and Lawrence Taylor) and the Big Blue Wrecking Crew defense. He made nine Pro Bowl appearances (1978–1979, 1981–1987). He intercepted 11 passes for 212 yards, recovered 14 fumbles for 36 yards and one touchdown, and officially recorded eight sacks (sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982, so any figures from 1976–1981 are unofficial). He retired after the 1988 season, having helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI with seven tackles. Carson was one of the first practitioners of the 'Gatorade shower,' started by teammate Jim Burt in 1985, as recounted in Carson's 1987 book Point of Attack: The Defense Strikes Back. Bill Parcells had Carson at his side during the national anthem for good luck. Bill Belichick considered Carson the best all-around linebacker he ever coached. Carson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 after years of criticism of the selection process; he had asked to have his name removed from the ballot in 2004. In his Hall of Fame speech, he did not directly mention CTE but criticized the NFL for not doing enough for ex-players. He has suggested that kids not start playing football due to potential consequences. After football, he co-hosts Giants 1st & 10 on MSG Network with Bob Papa, Carl Banks, and Howard Cross. He was part-owner of the Arena Football League's New Jersey Red Dogs. He served as commencement speaker for NYU School of Professional Studies

In Their Own Story

During his playing days, Carson was one of the first practitioners of the 'Gatorade shower,' a tradition started by teammate Jim Burt in 1985 following a win. Off the field, Bill Parcells valued Carson's presence so highly that he kept him at his side during the singing of the national anthem for good luck. In his 2011 book, 'Captain for Life,' Carson documented his personal struggles with post-concussion syndrome, estimating he suffered 15 concussions throughout his career. He became one of the first former athletes to share firsthand experiences regarding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) long before it became a public issue. In 2018, joining Nick Buoniconti and Phil Villapiano, Carson supported 'Flag Football Under 14,' stating he would not allow his grandson to play tackle football until age 14 due to the risks of brain injury.

Reader's Guide

Carson is a Hall of Fame linebacker who played his entire 13-year career with the New York Giants. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, a key member of the Crunch Bunch and Big Blue Wrecking Crew defenses, and a captain for ten seasons. He helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI. After football, he became a broadcaster and advocate for brain injury awareness.

Did You Know?

• Carson made 9 Pro Bowl appearances (1978–1979, 1981–1987).
• He earned 2 First Team All-Pro selections (1982, 1983) and 1 Second Team All-Pro selection (1984).
• He was one of the first practitioners of the 'Gatorade shower,' started by teammate Jim Burt in 1985.
• He was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in 1990 and estimates he had 15 concussions during his career.
• He authored the book Captain for Life in 2011 about his experiences with post-concussion syndrome.