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Rodney Harrison Voted Into Patriots Hall of Fame

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Rodney Harrison beat out Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour to become the latest former member of the dynasty voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. I’m going to be honest, I would’ve gone Mike Vrabel over him, but Rodney’s deserving nonetheless.

Let’s take a quick look back at Harrison’s tenure with the Patriots and the most memorable moments.

Harrison spent just six seasons with the Patriots after making himself known with the Chargers with some of the most over-aggressive hits in the NFL. That kind of tough play made an immediate impact on the Patriots in 2003, as he helped make Lawyer Milloy shockingly expendable

The most interesting thing to me is that Harrison made it to the end of the season healthy just three times with the Patriots and each time they were playing in the Super Bowl. Add in that he broke his arm in Super Bowl 38 and it shows how willingly he always played on the edge and sacrificed his body to make championship plays.

His absence in 2005 and 2006 especially made a huge difference in the playoff losses to the Broncos and Colts respectively. Like Patrick Chung today, Harrison was the versatile in-the-box presence that did a little of everything.

Rodney’s “extra business” hits were the stuff of legend. He always played on the edge and was a critical part of the Super Bowl champs in 2003 and 2004. It was that edge that helped contribute to his injuries in 2005 and 2006 but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

2006 was especially disappointing, as Harrison was initially lost mid-season, only to return toward the end of the season and take a cheap low hit that officially ended his comeback attempt. Who knows what a difference he would’ve made for a depleted secondary in the AFC Championship.

Harrison returned in 2007 and helped lead the Pats to a 16-0 regular season, but at the age of 35 he was clearly slowing down. Unfortunately he’ll forever be a part of NFL history as he was unable to rip the ball from David Tyree‘s helmet, setting up the Giants’ Super Bowl 42 win.

In 2008 Harrison would tear his quad after just six games, capping off an impressive career that unfortunately flamed out at the end.

2003 and 2004 were the years that earned Harrison his Patriots Hall of Fame status. The records he holds:

  • First player in NFL history with 30 sacks and 30 interceptions. (Since joined by Ray Lewis)
  • Patriots team record seven playoff interceptions, including four in three games during the 2004 playoff run.
  • Most sacks of any defensive back in NFL history (30.5)
  • In 1997, he was the first player in NFL history to score touchdowns on an interception return, fumble return and kickoff return in same season.

These records speak to the kind of player Harrison was. For a safety, he did a ton of damage at and behind the line of scrimmage. He consistently made plays on the ball and changed the course of games.

But even more impactful was the attitude that he brought. He fully bought into the “nobody believes in us” even when the Pats had won multiple Super Bowls and put together a 21-game win streak.

He may not have been one of the founding defensive dynasty players, like Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest and Vrabel, but he quickly joined their ranks and that’s why he does belong in the Pats Hall.