Patriots third-year running back Damien Harris shared a heartfelt embrace and emotional exchange with longtime running backs coach Ivan Fears, and it’s one that New England fans certainly will appreciate.
The conversation between Fears and Harris came after New England’s wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.
Here’s how their exchange went:
Fears: You’re going to have a great career. You keep that attitude and you’re going to have a great career.
Harris: Yes, sir.
Fears: OK?
Harris: Yes, sir. Thank you for everything.
Fears: I love you, boy.
Harris: I love you, too. Thank you for everything.
Fears: You’re a different man than you were when you walked in here, son.
Harris: Yes, sir. All because of you.
Fears (laughing): I don’t know about that.
Harris: Thank you for everything.
It certainly seems like Harris knows the 67-year-old Fears, who hinted at retirement before the season, could call it a career with the 2021 campaign concluded.
Harris finished his regular season with 929 yards on 202 rushing attempts with 15 touchdowns. He added nine rushes for 30 yards in New England’s wild-card loss. The Patriots’ ground game, with Fears in charge, ranked eighth in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns this season.
Fears, who has been on New England’s staff for 25 years, coached 31 seasons in the NFL. He took over as the Patriots running back coach in 2002.
