Two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison hasn't been in a rush to embrace the Carolina Panthers this season, but the current NBC Sports analyst may have crossed a line Tuesday during an interview with Newsday.
According to Tom Rock, Harrison told him:
“If I see Cam Newton running the ball and he’s a quarterback and I’m on defense, I’m trying to hurt him. I’m trying to knock him out of the game.”
Voted the league's dirtiest player multiple times during his career, it's not like Harrison's comments were out of character. They were, though, a bit blunt for a sport trying to change its on-field culture.
"I didn't see the quote, but I think any time somebody even at all addresses trying to injure somebody in this game, I don't think there's any place for it," tight end Greg Olsen said Wednesday, about four hours after Harrison repeated his comments on the Dan Patrick Show.
"I know he's said some things about us throughout the course of the season about various players and various situations and I understand his job is to generate interest. But I think any time somebody says that about anybody, let alone your MVP quarterback, I think that speaks more about him than it does about anything else."
Cornerback Josh Norman, who had a back-and-forth with Harrison in December, added:
"Wow, you're out here injuring guys now and you don't even play the game? Rodney's been saying a lot of things this year, and to make a comment on something like that, it's something I don't think this game would want.
"I don't know man, you may need to ask Tyree about that one."
Norman landing a not-so-subtle shot at Harrison's role during David Tyree's helmet catch in the Giants' 2007 Super Bowl win.
Because Harrison has firsthand experience toeing the thin line between winning and losing a Super Bowl, his perspective is interesting. It could also make one wonder what the Broncos, who have been heaping praise on Newton for more than a week, are really thinking.
"I guarantee you that as many compliments that Denver’s defense is giving Cam Newton," Harrison said, "those guys are in the background saying: ‘If we can knock him out of the game, that’s the difference between us winning and losing the Super Bowl.'"
Even if Harrison's guarantee is accurate, it's the type of talk the NFL loathes. It's also more than just wondering out loud if the Panthers are truly the league's best team.
"People coming right out overtly and stating that they would try to injure your star quarterback in the Super Bowl, I think we're talking about a different level of comments there," Olsen said.
"So again, I didn't hear exactly what he said, but if it was how it's being portrayed, then I think that's uncalled for and somewhat embarrassing."
You didn’t ask Derek Anderson for his reaction? I mean, that’s just bulletin board material for DA. If, heaven forbid, Cam goes down—next man up! DA is—seriously!—right there to step in and become the Super Bowl MVP.
How bleak is Denver’s chance at winning if their best case scenario is intentionally trying to damage another man’s body and career? Is there really any pride in winning if you have to win like that? I never had a pro or anti felling about Harrison, but I now have a very negative perspective on him. Not because of what others said. But for his words. It is beyond shameful and, for me, will taint any business that hires him to represent them.
Amen. His employer needs to rethink having him as añ employee! NBC sports has lost this viewer.
ok best of luck
cam had an ordinary half against seattle and the score was 31-0. don’t think DA couldn’t lead the cats to the title.
I do.
like i just said on Twitter IF they did that I’d start aking out there players Fact is Peyton Manning would get his neck broke
Rodney hasn’t changed… Love the Tyree dig.
its ridiculous to get up in arms over this. You don’t think every Denver defensive player or any other defensive player is trying to hurt him with a legal hit. Just like every other super star player. Games are won and lost not with just talent but who’s healthiest
Rodney Harrison has been a Panther Hater for as long as I can remember. I just love to watch the NBC Sunday Night Football Pre-game Show to watch him eat crow when, once again, the Panthers win a game he chose them to lose. It happened all season, and he consistently hated on the Panthers. Hey, Rodney, go take some more HGH to heal your broken feelings, loser.
With something like that, Harrison better hope NBC even lets him keep his job. Even if they aren’t partial to it one way or another, it won’t take much for Goodell to put his influence behind that type of decision and make NBC bow. Harrison isn’t their employee, but the league still owns the content and has a lot of say over who can talk about it. Especially when it’s almost at a #BountyGate-type level.
NBC should hurt Harrison, knock him out of the game, go for his wallet. Football fans would come out the winner by having that surly, biased “analyst” silenced.