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March 6, 2007

Harrison talks Pats, golf

Hey all --

We had the chance to spend time with Rodney Harrison today, and it was, as always, an enjoyable experience.

The safety was the keynote speaker at the New England Regional Turfgrass Convention, which drew a great many golf course superintendents. Harrison came north -- and was not happy about the weather -- from Atlanta, where he was golfing yesterday and had plans to be golfing again tomorrow.

In a wide-ranging, 45-minute speech, Harrison talked about his upbringing in Chicago, the story of how he came to play in New England, the difficult 18 months or so he's endured since tearing all three ligaments in his left knee in Sept. 2005, Bill Belichick, Adalius Thomas, Randy Moss, and even Freddie Mitchell.

Harrison told a story from his days at private Marian Catholic High, and a day that changed his life.

"I was about the poorest kid at the school. My mom, she worked two and three jobs, but she drove a Chevette. It was tan with a red door, and there was wood on the floor on the passenger's side because if there wasn't, there was a Flintstones thing going on where you could drive with your feet.

"One day the car broke down, and I'm hoping no one from school comes by. (But) kids came by, throwing water, spitting, laughing. It inspired me. I told my mother, I'm going to get an education, you're going to be proud of me, and when I get to the NFL, you'll never break down again."

One of Harrison's first purchases when he started collecting NFL paychecks was a Mercedes for his mother.

During the Pats' regular season finale against Tennessee -- Harrison's second game back from a broken shoulder blade suffered against the Colts in November -- the cheap shots and play of the Titans led Harrison to tell Artrell Hawkins that he didn't "feel too good" and to protect himself. A few plays later, Bobby Wade dove at Harrison's right knee, partially tearing his medial collateral ligament and effectively ending his season.

Harrison said he hasn't heard from Wade since the hit -- which the NFL ruled was a clean block -- and that he would answer if Wade called. And he will likely never forget what he saw as he laid on the grass at LP Field writing in pain.

"After I got hit by him, I'm screaming in pain, I look up and on their sideline, I see guys laughing and joking. That was disappointing that they were so ruthless. But like I said, during the playoffs they were at home just like me."

New England's win knocked the Titans out of postseason contention.

For the record, Harrison's best round of golf was an 88 at the TPC of Boston, when he beat Tedy Bruschi by a shot. His handicap is down to a 16, which he's proud of, and he said that Tom Brady is definitely the best golfer on the Patriots.

There will be more from Harrison in tomorrow's Journal and online.

shalise

Posted by Shalise Manza Young  at 8:48 PM | Permalink