Rodney Harrison Didn’t Join a Dynasty, He Helped Build One

(Boston Globe Staff Photo/Jim Davis)

In March of 2003, a few days after being wined and dined at the Ground Round, Rodney Harrison became, at that time, the best player to ever sign with the Patriots in free agency.

Since then, players with more talent, such as Randy Moss and Darrelle Revis have migrated to New England for short stints with the Pats. However, Harrison’s impact on the Patriots is unparalleled by any other player the franchise has ever traded for or signed in free agency.

"Best practice player, probably ever." - Bill Belichick

In Harrison’s first training camp with the Patriots, he cured the team of the championship-sized hangover that caused it to barely finish over .500 and miss the playoffs in the 2002 season. He did so by delivering decapitating hits, usually to Troy Brown or Kevin Faulk, and by challenging Tom Brady to elevate his performance. As a result, Belichick made him a captain before he ever played a game for the Patriots.

Harrison came to New England as a decorated nine-year vet, who had Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro accolades on his resume. While his new teammates consistently reminded him about his lack of a Super Bowl ring, it was they who learned from him what it took to sustain greatness.

Every step of the way, Harrison convinced his teammates no one liked them, and no one believed in them. Unlike in 2002, they no longer became complacent after winning. Week in and week out, they were motivated to silence their doubters, whether they were real or imagined, and they took on an us-against-the-world mentality that’s befitting of Boston.

That mindset drove the Patriots throughout Harrison’s six years with the franchise. It was the fuel that propelled them to win five division titles, three conference championships, and to hoist the Lombardi Trophy two years in a row.

En route to those titles, they ripped off 21-consecutive victories, which still stands as the longest winning streak in NFL history. In 2007, they didn’t complete the perfect season, but their dominance that year will be remembered forever. And when Harrison retired after the 2008 season, it closed the book on a six-year tenure in which the Patriots won more games than any team has in any six-year juncture in NFL history.

To paraphrase what Robert Kraft said at Harrison's Patriots’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony, he didn’t join a dynasty he helped build one. Harrison challenged the Patriots to dig deeper into the beliefs that comprised their foundation, and he raised the standards within the organization to the levels they remain at to this day.

Harrison’s Patriots’ Hall of Fame induction speech was about everyone but him; it was a perfect representation of who he is.

He discussed the team success he shared in, but he left out his accomplishments, such as being a two-time First-Team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.

Harrison also didn’t feel the need to brag about the following accolades:

• He is the only defensive back in NFL history who has at least 30 sacks and 30 interceptions

• His 30.5 career sacks are the most by a defensive back in NFL history

• He is the all-time leader in career Super Bowl tackles with 33

He also declined to mention that since 1999, he is one of four players who has recorded 50 or more solo tackles, at least two interceptions, and at least two sacks in the playoffs. Two of the other three players on that list, Ray Lewis and Brian Dawkins, are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Harrison earned his red jacket from the Patriots. He also deserves the gold jacket and bronze bust that come with being enshrined in Canton.