One of the top defensive backs of the Bill Belichick era will be enshrined in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame this year.
Safety Rodney Harrison was announced Monday as the team’s 2019 Hall of Fame inductee. Harrison defeated fellow finalists Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel in a fan vote.
The Patriots won Super Bowl titles in each of Harrison’s first two seasons with the team (2003 and 2004), with Harrison earning first-team All-Pro honors in the former and second-team recognition in the latter. He also was a member of the 2007 Patriots team that started 18-0 before falling to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
One of the NFL’s most feared hitters throughout his 15-year NFL career, Harrison led the Patriots in tackles in 2003 and 2004. He played his final six seasons in New England, serving as a team captain each season and totaling eight interceptions, seven forced fumbles, nine sacks and 18 tackles for loss.
Harrison tallied interceptions in six of his nine playoff games as a Patriot, including two against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX and one he returned 87 yards for a touchdown in the 2004 AFC Championship Game. He also averaged 8.1 tackles per postseason game.
Harrison is the seventh player from the early years of the Patriots dynasty to earn a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame, joining wide receiver Troy Brown (2012), linebacker Tedy Bruschi (2013), cornerback Ty Law (2014), linebacker Willie McGinest (2015), running back Kevin Faulk (2016) and offensive tackle Matt Light (2018).
