Rodney Harrison Retires/David Tyree Still Holding Ball

From the UT's Kevin Acee:

Rodney Harrison made it official Wednesday, that 15 years as the one of the game's most ferocious and instinctive defenders was coming to an end.

“I am done, and I am very much so at peace with that,” the now-former strong safety said in a conference call with reporters. “Football has been good to me. I've worked hard; I've played hard. I've done some things that I never dreamt I could do, and now it's time to move forward to the next phase of my life.”

Charger's recall playing with- and against - Rodney Harrison ~by Kevin Acee

The current debate revolves around weather or not Rodney Harrison belongs in Canton now that he's called it a day and moved on to Sunday Night Football.

Does he? I'm not sure. There aren't too many safeties in the HOF and Rodney's hampered by his HGH
suspension, a reputation for dirty play, and legitimate arguments that he wasn't the best amongst his peers (Polamalu/Dawkins/Reed).

He does, however, have two Lombardi Trophies and that goes a long way in HOF voting.....look at the '70s Steelers.....isn't every player from those Steel City teams in the hall? He also has a lot of sacks and interceptions.....for a safety. Nor does it hurt to have the backing of some of the great coaches such as Shanahan/Gruden/Belichick....even if they are dick-heads.

I'll always remember Rodney's last season with the Chargers in 2002 when he had the opportunity to clean Jerry Rice's clock as he ran a crossing route into the end zone. Rodney had a big fine not too long before this particular play so the question was: Would he take the hit? Are you kidding? It's Rodney Harrison! He blew-Jerry-Rice-the-fuck-up!!! It was beautiful....but then he was fined a gazillion dollars.....and we stopped seeing him pull the trigger like we were used to each Sunday (we didn't get Monday Night games back then). From there on out the hits seemed to be more docile (if that's possible with RH) and then he became hampered with a groin injury which ultimately led to the Chargers releasing him. At least we held on to Marcellus Wiley.

Here's how UT readers are polling:

(Updated Poll-Friday June 5th---Results have changed big time! Approximately 2000 more people have voted since I initially posted UT poll results.....with smaller sample most voters were saying, 42%, that Rodney deserved the HOF and he would go in as a Charger. The worm has turned as it appears that nearly 40 % don't even think he's worthy----click poll for a less fuzzy view.)

I don't know.....if he does go into the Hall he won't be wearing Lightning Bolts. It'll be that other helmet he used to spear guys with, while winning two Trophies.

Either way I don't really care.....my only concern is that he was unable to make the play on the David Tyree jump ball. It led to a river of tears in Boston and that's all right with us. Not too many strings of numbers better than 18-1. What ever your thoughts on Rodney I think most would concede the following points:

1. You hated to play against the dirty bastard.
2. You wished the dirty bastard was on your team.
3. He sure was fun to watch play even when wearing that Pat's jersey.

Enjoy a little You Tube tribute where he unfortunately is seen in more than just Bolts......