Harry Carson

Lore & Background

Carson played college football for Willie Jeffries at South Carolina State University from 1972 to 1975, not missing a single game in four years. He became the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference player to win consecutive defensive player of the year honors, and assisted the Bulldogs to consecutive conference championships. In 1975, he was a first-team selection on the AFCA College-Division All-America team and set school records with 117 tackles and 17 sacks. With Carson as their captain, the Bulldogs defense recorded six shutouts in 1975, and held their opponents to just 29 points, an NCAA record for a ten-game season. Carson was a member of the Crunch Bunch, a team of fierce linebackers composed of Carson, Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, and Lawrence Taylor. He was a member of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew defense and made nine Pro Bowl appearances (1978–1979, 1981–1987). He retired at the end of the 1988 season, two years after helping the team win Super Bowl XXI, the Giants' first, and Carson had seven tackles for the victors.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over Shea Stadium as the fourth quarter wore on. Harry Carson stood at the line of scrimmage, helmet gleaming under the floodlights. He didn't just call out plays; he commanded them with a fire that silenced the crowd for a moment. With a sharp nod to his teammates, he surged forward, embodying the relentless spirit that defined an era of Jets football.

Reader's Guide

Carson was drafted 105th overall in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft by the Giants. He spent all of his 13 seasons with them, leading the team in tackles for five seasons, and served as their captain for ten. In his 13 seasons, Carson intercepted 11 passes and returned them for a total of 212 yards. He also recovered 14 fumbles, returning them for 36 yards and one touchdown. Officially, he recorded eight quarterback sacks (sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982) but his total is 19 sacks when the 1976–81 seasons are included. Carson was one of the first practitioners of the 'Gatorade shower'. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. After football, Carson remains in close involvement with the Giants, has had a career in sports broadcasting, and owns Harry Carson Inc. He co-hosts Giants 1st & 10 on Madison Square Garden Network with Bob Papa, Carl Banks and Howard Cross.

Did You Know?

• Carson was born in Florence, South Carolina, and graduated from McClenaghan High School.
• He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1976 from South Carolina State University.
• Carson was a member of the Crunch Bunch, a group of linebackers that included Lawrence Taylor.
• He served as the lone captain for the Giants at the coin toss before Super Bowl XXI.
• Carson was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome in 1990 and estimates he had 15 concussions during his career.