This is Why I loved this Guy as a Kid!

[Giantone]

I know this may seem weird but I thought some of you guys who are "oldtime" football fans might like this story .


Parcells, Belichick, Schottenheimer honor Harry Carson
By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer, July 18, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) -- With Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and Marty Schottenheimer nodding in agreement, a former teammate spoke Tuesday about Harry Carson the man, not the New York Giants middle linebacker and soon-to-be Hall of Famer. George Martin's testimonial set the tone on a day the Giants assembled Lawrence Taylor and 11 other teammates, as well as three of his former New York coaches, for a special tribute.

"It's all about respect," said Belichick, who has led the New England Patriots to three Super Bowls in the last five years. Schottenheimer and Parcells felt the same way. Carson, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 5, earned that respect in 13 seasons. A nine-time Pro Bowl pick, a leader, a captain, Carson was all that. But Martin, a defensive end who played every season with Carson, said what his friend did off the field are the memories his teammates will cherish. Martin brought up the names of three former Giants: running back Doug Kotar, quarterback Jeff Rutledge and center Jim Clack. Kotar died of cancer in 1983.

"It was Harry Carson who gathered all of his teammates and formulated a visitation to Doug who was still being hospitalized, and subsequently set up a scholarship fund for his kids," Martin said. "That spoke to me in ways that you could never imagine."

As the backup to Phil Simms, Rutledge rarely played. He was in a car accident that nearly cost him his life, Martin said. "He stated to me emphatically that had it not been for Harry Carson paying out of his own pocket, coming to his bedside and reassuring him that there was something for him to fight and to live for, that he would not have made it," Martin recalled.

Clack was a guard on two Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers teams in the 1970s. He finished his career playing four seasons with the Giants. He died earlier this year of heart failure at 58, having fought neck and throat cancer for about four years.

"He did so with no fanfare, no bands, no parades," Martin said, recalling the death. "Yet, still the gentleman who we call our team captain, Harry Carson, was there front and center, paying his respects, acknowledging the fraternity of which he was a part of. That's the kind of person that Harry Carson is."

Parcells, the current Dallas coach who led the Giants to two Super Bowls in 1986 and 1990, said Carson stood the test of time. "He had to walk down that tunnel on a lot of icy Sundays in the Meadowlands when he wasn't feeling pretty good, probably wondering how he was going to get through these games he had to play," Parcells said. "But he was there for all of us, most every Sunday for upwards of 12 years."

Carson also showed he could be a comic. When asked about Belichick as a young coach, Carson said:

"There were times we didn't know if Belichick knew what he was talking about or not," Carson quipped. A more serious Carson said he had no regrets over his decision in 2005 to write a letter to the Hall of Fame, asking them to remove his name from consideration. Many told him he was making a mistake.

"I knew where I stood with my teammates. I knew that I'd earned their respect over the years," he said.

[MightyJoeGibbs]

I have to say, I dont care one slightest bit about the Giants and their legacy of HOFers. Sorry.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

HAHAHA, I didn't even bother to read what any of that said.

[That Guy]

sorry, until art's in, i couldn't care less. "it's all about respect" screw that.

[htownskinfan]

i thought it was a good story,Harry Carson sounds like a fine example of a human being,also,by helping save Jeff Rutledge,he helped the redskins win a game against Detroit that rutledge started for us and led us to a big come from behind victory

[SmootSmack]

Good story. Though I don't think I'm alone when I say it's very frustrating that Carson made this big deal about how he didn't want to be considered anymore for the Hall of Fame, yet the committee was insistent that he get in. Yet they couldn't find space for others who want and deserve to be there, starting with Monk?

[saden1]

I read the entire article and Carson is one hell of a guy. Nuff respect.

[htownskinfan]

thanks to my trusty redskin a to z book,i discvered rutledge didnt start the game,humphries did,who started for rypien,but after humphries threw his 3rd int and barry sanders ran up the middle for a 45 yrd td to give the lions a 35-14 lead with 10 minutes left in the 3rd qtr,gibbs looked down the bench,put in rutledge,who led us to a 41-38 win in ot,and since we went 10-6 and barely made the wildcard,in a twisted way I guess we can thank harry carson for helping us make the playoffs

[Riggo44]

in a twisted way I guess we can thank harry carson for helping us make the playoffs
Yea I guess.For ever action there is a reaction.

[LBrown43]

Sorry....Art should be in long before Harry. The lack of respect for Art is just unbelieveable. Art broke a Hall of Famers record, but yet is still shunned??? Makes no sense and I am boycotting Canton this September. Going to the Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame instead with my 13 year old son. FUHOF!!!!!

[724Skinsfan]

I do like Carson as both a player and a person but I never could understand the whole "take my name off of the HOF ballot". As long as Art Monk remains out, getting into the Hall of Fame will be considered a joke.

[Giantone]

First I have always belived that Art Monk should be in the Hall of Fame .When did Monk stop playing ,Carson left after the 86 super bowl.Remember the postions are much different and that has a lot to do with it .

[MTK]

Carson was a 9-time Pro Bowl selection.

It was puzzling how he was constantly overlooked for the Hall. He deserves to be in. The Hall voters need to stop the childish nitpicking. All you need to do to tell if a player deserves to be in is just say the name. Harry Carson? Yep, Hall of Famer. Art Monk? Yep, Hall of Famer.

The voters over-analyze just to make themselves seem smarter than they are.

[BDBohnzie]

not to step on toes, but I think some of you guys are missing the point...

The story was shared not with a political agenda, but to share in the things that make Harry Carson a well respect and damn fine human being. It's highlighting why Carson is who he is, not why he should be in the HoF. I know there is a deep wound for Monk, but don't disrespect someone just as deserving just because one of your own who is equally so isn't getting the same. Monk will have his day.

[dblanch66]

Carson also helped keep LT on a leash. Carson was the general of that defense. Great player, good guy. I can't begrudge someone else's success just because Art's still not in. He will be. Just like Pete Rose.