Scout.com > NY Giants Harry’s Journey to the Hall Story URL: http://nyg.scout.com/2/552897.html Ken Palmer GiantInsider.net Aug 4, 2006 It might have taken 13 years, but Harry Carson was finally elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here are some highlights of Carson’s career and some thoughts about the new Hall-of-Famer. Nine-time Pro Bowler during 13-year career (1976-88)… Led the Giants in tackles five times… Two-time All-NFL selection… Becomes the 29th member of the Hall with Giants ties… Team captain at age 25… Rated the #1 Inside Linebacker in NFL history according to Pro Football Weekly… Posted 25 tackles in a Monday Night game against Green Bay in 1982… Fourth-round draft pick from South Carolina State… Played 173 games in a Giants uniform, tying him with Keith Hamilton for seventh all-time… Punishing run defender also intercepted 11 passes during his career… Member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and the Black College Alumni Hall of Fame… Carson grew so tired of the process that he twice wrote letters to the Hall in 2004 asking to be removed from consideration. However, when he finally was elected he said he couldn’t dishonor the Giants tradition and decline the invitation. “Where I sort of had a change of heart was when Mr. (Wellington) Mara passed away,” Carson said. “There were so many things that went through my mind during that time. I knew how strongly he felt about me being a Hall-of-Famer. I knew that if it did come, I couldn’t tarnish his memory, because it’s something that he wanted for me. And I would never embarrass his memory, embarrass the Giants organization, or embarrass the National Football League.” “This would have been very special for him,” John Mara said of his late father. “He was probably even more frustrated than Harry was over the last five years or so. I can remember him calling me a couple of times to tell me the inductees and I could hear the frustration and anger, really, in his voice. He could not believe that Harry was not voted in. He would have been very happy.”… What they’re saying… “Coming into the league, Harry’s really the first person that took me under his wing and taught me the proper way of how to play football.” – Lawrence Taylor “I’m proud of Harry that he finally made it to the Hall of Fame. It’s well-deserved. We all knew all along that he was a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. I’m proud of him and I’m happy for him.” – Phil Simms “That guy was so amazing. I’ve never seen anyone take on blockers the way he took on blockers and then still make the tackle.” – Pepper Johnson “It is what every single guy that’s ever strapped on a helmet and shoulder pads strives to be. Harry Carson, in my opinion, has been long overdue, because he’s been such a great leader and played so well for so long. His tenacity, his mentality, just the way he approached the game, striving to be the best. He’s just been recognized as being the best, and it’s a well-deserved honor.” – Brandon Short “I didn’t realize he was such a monster-type of guy. He had a nasty attitude out there. I mean nine Pro Bowls and I think he led the team in tackles five times. When people talk about that defense, everyone loves Lawrence Taylor, but the heart and soul of it comes down to Harry Carson. If you didn’t block him, there wasn’t going to be any Lawrence Taylor sacks.” – Antonio Pierce “We’re all very excited for Harry. Anybody that was ever around him as a player knew the kind of quality player he was, how physical he was, what an outstanding leader he was, and what he represented to the New York Giant football team. We can’t say enough about how happy we are for Harry and his family and how much he deserves to be in the Hall.” – Tom Coughlin Copyright © Scout.com and GiantInsider.net