Rodney Harrison is still eyeing a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he was named a semifinalist (again) in November. The former Patriots safety has quite the résumé, which includes being the NFL’s first member of the 30-interception, 30-sack club.
The two-time Super Bowl champion has been eligible since 2013, but hasn’t gone beyond being named a semifinalist. Former Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli made his case for Harrison, as he has in the past, and explained what makes Harrison a Hall of Famer on the latest episode of “Eye On Foxborough.”
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“There’s only been two players that have ever done it (30 sacks, 30 interceptions). The other one being Ray Lewis. I get stats, I know stats, I’m not a huge stats guy. But if we’re gonna talk about stats for this moment, let’s talk about that,” Pioli told MassLive Patriots columnist Karen Guregian.
Pioli, now an NFL Network analyst, mentioned how Harrison has done more in fewer games than Hall of Famer John Lynch.
“I understand the importance of numbers, and I’ve never been someone who’s made it just about the numbers. When you look at film, when you look at tape during Rodney’s time, there’s no doubt that he’s one of the best players in the National Football League at that position,” he said. “And when we talk about numbers, again, if we’re going to talk about numbers, when you look at Rodney’s tackles that are more, interceptions that are more, sacks that are more than John Lynch and this is not discrediting John Lynch at all, but he did it in only 186 games, whereas John played 224 games.”
More than his numbers, though, Harrison is also “one of the most incredible and fine human beings.”
“He’s an amazing human being. He’s an incredible husband. He’s an incredible father. He was one of the best teammates I’ve ever seen,” Pioli said.
Harrison will find out if he’s among the 15 finalists before the official Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is announced at the NFL Honors on Feb. 8.
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