By Darin 
Born Harold Donald Carson on November 26, 1953, in Florence, South Carolina, Harry Carson became the defining middle linebacker and emotional leader of the New York Giants’ defense during the 1970s and 80s. His career journey from a small-college defensive end to a Hall of Fame linebacker exemplifies relentless effort and leadership.
- Carson led the New York Giants in tackles for five seasons and served as the team captain for 10 of his 13 professional years.
College Career
Carson attended South Carolina State University (1972–1975), where he played defensive end and never missed a game in his four seasons. He was an instant standout, becoming the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) player to win consecutive Defensive Player of the Year honors (1974 and 1975). In his senior year (1975), he was named a first-team All-America selection, setting school records with 117 tackles and 17 sacks. Carson anchored a Bulldogs defense that set an NCAA record for fewest points allowed (29) in a 10-game season, leading the team to back-to-back conference championships.
Road to the Pro Game
Despite his dominance in college, many NFL teams were unsure of Carson’s best position. The New York Giants, however, selected him in the fourth round (105th overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft. Upon joining the Giants, he was successfully converted from a defensive end into a middle linebacker, a transition so seamless that he earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his first year. He spent his entire 13-season professional career (1976–1988) with the New York Giants.
Football Legacy
Carson was the heart of the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” defense and a vital part of the “Crunch Bunch” linebacker quartet (alongside Lawrence Taylor, Brad Van Pelt, and Brian Kelley). He was a ferocious run-stopper, known for his punishing, all-out style of play. In 1986, as the sole captain, he led the Giants to their first Super Bowl victory, defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI. He is credited with starting the now-iconic tradition of dousing the winning coach—in this case, Bill Parcells—with a Gatorade shower after the Super Bowl victory. Post-career, Carson became an outspoken advocate for concussion awareness, drawing from his own personal experience, years before the issue became mainstream.
Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats
- College: First-team All-America (1975), 2x MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (1974, 1975), College Football Hall of Fame (2002).
- Professional: Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006), Super Bowl Champion (XXI), 9x Pro Bowl selection, 6x All-Pro selection (First or Second-team), PFWA All-Rookie Team (1976), New York Giants Ring of Honor.
- Career Stats: 173 games played, 11 interceptions (212 yards), 14 fumble recoveries, 1 defensive touchdown, and 8 official sacks (19 unofficial sacks).
Big thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com