DETROIT – It took longer than he wanted, longer than the Giants thought necessary or fair, but at long last, Harry Carson is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The rock-steady middle linebacker yesterday was inducted with one of the stronger classes in recent memory: Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, Raiders coach John Madden, Oilers quarterback Warren Moon, Eagles and Packers defensive end Reggie White and Cowboys offensive lineman Rayfield Wright.
Carson yesterday was on a flight to Hawaii for an annual trip with some of his former linebacker teammates and did not immediately learn of his selection.
“He played middle linebacker like a man among boys,” said Carl Banks, Carson’s former teammate. “Harry was a
warrior who led by example.”
This was the fifth year Carson, who played for the Giants from 1976-88, was eligible. In two of the past three years he made it to the final six, only to fall short. This year, as always, he was presented to the 39-member selection committee by Vinny DiTrani, the longtime Giants beat writer for the Bergen Record. The committee, comprised of media members from around the league, this time produced the 31 necessary votes to get Carson in.
“I thought Vinny did a magnificent job,” said Sam Kouvaris, a member of the selection committee from Jacksonville who previously had not voted for Carson. “I went in with an open mind, listened to what Vinny said and changed my mind. After he spoke, it was easy.”
Many involved with the Giants believe this was always an easy call and should not have taken as long as it did.
“He is as deserving as any player this franchise has ever had,” said John Mara, the Giants’ chief operating officer. “I know he’s been frustrated over the last few years, as have all of us when he wasn’t voted in.”
One of those most frustrated by Carson’s omission over the years was coowner Wellington Mara, who died this past season.
“He was probably even more frustrated than Harry was over the last five years or so,” John Mara said of his father. “He could not believe that Harry was not voted in. He would have been very happy today, as we all are.”
Two years ago, Carson, frustrated about not garnering enough votes, angrily petitioned the committee to remove his name from the ballot. That did not happen.
Up next is the induction ceremony in Canton, and running back O.J. Anderson, who played against and with Carson, is wondering along with everyone else.
“Will he show up?” Anderson asked of the induction ceremony. “I think we’re all going to wait and see.”
George Martin, a defensive end who played in front of Carson, spoke with his friend recently.
“I asked him, ‘Harry, how would you feel if they finally came to their senses and elected you?'” Martin said. “He said it would be one of the proudest days of his life. He will be overjoyed.”
Numbers alone never told the tale with Carson, who was named to the Pro Bowl nine times. He was overshadowed for much of his career by Lawrence Taylor, but Carson was a star in his own right before Taylor arrived. As the man in the middle of the Giants defense, Carson was an unquestioned leader – a fierce, proud presence and as rock steady as Taylor was unpredictable.
“I don’t care what middle linebacker you throw out there,” said former Giants linebacker Brad Van Pelt, “if he’s not the best middle linebacker I’ve ever seen, he’s right along with the Butkuses, the Singletarys and any of these new pups that are out there. He went to nine Pro Bowls. He should have gone on the first ballot.”
Bill Parcells said, “I’m just elated by Harry’s election. He was a tremendous player and an integral part of one of the NFL’s best two or three defenses for several years.”
This news comes at a time when Carson could stand to feel uplifted. His son, Donald, 23, was diagnosed last month with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder.
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THE INDUCTEES
Harry Carson (LB) 1976-88
Giants’ fourth-round pick in 1976 draft. … Became Giants’ starting middle linebacker halfway through rookie season. Earned All-Rookie honors. … Led Giants defenders in tackles five seasons. … Had career-high performance in 1982 vs. Green Bay with 20 solo tackles and five assists. … Ferocious run-stopper whose 14 career fumble recoveries ranks second in team record book. … Made 11 career interceptions. … Was a part of the famed Giants’ linebacker trio of Carson, Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks. … A big-play performer, his interception and 12 tackles vs. Redskins in 1986 virtually assured Giants of NFC East title. … Made key goal-line stand play in 1987 Super Bowl against Broncos. Selected to play in nine Pro Bowls, including seven straight (1982-1988).
Reggie White (DL) 1985-2000
1985-92, Eagles; 1993-98 Packers; 2000 Panthers. Selected in the first round (fourth player overall) of 1984 supplemental draft. … Nicknamed “Minister of Defense,” joined Eagles after two years with USFL’s Memphis Showboats. … In 1987, recorded 21 sacks, second most in NFL history at the time. … Became only player to accumulate 20 or more sacks in just 12 games. … Died Dec. 26, 2004 at age 43.
Warren Moon (QB)
1984-93, Oilers; 1994-96, Vikings; 1997-98 Seahawks; 1999-2000 Chiefs. Began pro career with CFL’s Edmonton
Eskimos (1978-1983), winning five straight Grey Cups. … In NFL career, completed 3,988 of 6,823 passes for 49,325 yards, 291 TDs, 233 interceptions. … Rushed 543 times for 1,736 yards for 22 TDs, giving him 51,061 yards of total offense. … At retirement, pass attempts, completions, yardage totals and total offense totals all ranked third all-time and 291 career touchdown passes were fourth.
Rayfield Wright (OT) 1989-2000
Selected by Cowboys in seventh round of 1967 draft. … Seniors Committee nominee. … First opponent was Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones. … Known as “Big Cat,” picked for Pro Bowl six consecutive times (1971-76). … Helped Cowboys to 10 division titles, six conference championships and two Super Bowl victories. … Played in five Super Bowls.
Troy Aikman (QB) 1989-2000
Cowboys’ first-round pick (No. 1 overall) in 1989. … Led team to three Super Bowl wins, was game MVP in 1993. … Had 90 wins in 1990s, making him winningest starting QB of any decade. … Held or tied 47 Dallas passing records.
John Madden (coach) 1969-1978
Regular-season coaching record of 103-32-7, all with the Raiders. … Postseason record of 9-7. … Seniors Committee nominee. … Led team to victory in the 1977 Super Bowl. … Began pro coaching career as Raiders assistant, 1967-1968. … His .759 winning percentage during regular season ranks as highest ever among coaches with 100 career victories.