Ceremony Set For Week 8
Rodney Harrison will be honored by the team that first brought him into the NFL. The Chargers announced on Monday that they will induct Harrison into the team’s Hall of Fame during halftime of their Week 8 Thursday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 23.
A Tribute To A Defining Player
“Rodney personified an era of Chargers football defined by physicality, emotion, relentless effort, toughness and grit,” Chargers president of football operations John Spanos said in a statement. “For nearly a decade, he gave everything he had to the Chargers, establishing a standard of accountability and setting the bar for competitive greatness. He made an immediate impact his rookie year, helping lead us to an unforgettable AFC Championship victory in Pittsburgh and appearance in Super Bowl XXIX.”
Spanos continued, “The fire that burned inside Rodney was the stuff of legend and, as is the case with all the great ones, it never once faded over the course of his career. And as much as he gave of himself on the field, Rodney found a way to give even more to our community, especially in his work with local youth. Inducting Rodney into the Chargers Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a player who gave this franchise everything he had and more.”
A Standout Career With The Chargers
Harrison, a fifth-round pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, spent his first nine seasons with the Chargers. In his rookie season, the safety from Western Illinois helped the team reach Super Bowl XXIX. By his third year, he had become a full-time starter, tallying five interceptions and 125 tackles in 16 games.
Nicknamed “The Hitman,” Harrison earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named first-team All-Pro in 1998, despite the Chargers finishing with a 5-11 record. He would later secure a second Pro Bowl nod in 2001.
Success With The Patriots
After being released by the Chargers following the 2002 season, Harrison joined the New England Patriots. He played a vital role in the Patriots’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories during his first two seasons with the team. Harrison spent six seasons in New England before retiring after the 2008 campaign.
Over 186 games, Harrison recorded 1,206 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 34 interceptions, and 10 quarterback hits. He becomes the 36th player and 44th overall member to be inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame.
