Pats' Harrison played with chip on his shoulder

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Passion. You either have it or you don't.

And no one could ever question whether Rodney Harrison played the game of football with passion.

Well, apparently the passion to play is gone for New England Patriots safety Harrison, who officially announced his retirement from the National Football League this afternoon.

So long Rodney, Patriots fans will miss you.

It's refreshing to know that a player like Harrison played the game because he loved it, and he played to win and didn't settle for anything less.

Boy, the Pats and coach Bill Belichick got a real gem when Harrison jumped aboard with the Pats for the 2003 season. 

Didn't the San Diego Chargers think he was washed up after 9 years? Wrong!

He was far from done. With Harrison in the secondary, the Pats won two Super Bowls and the veteran brought accountability to his fellow teammates, a tough guy mentality and became a great leader and a guy who took younger players under his wing.

What more could you ask for from a player? 

Harrison was all about team. While his skills did diminish over the years -- he had a hard time in pass coverage with age -- he never stopped being aggressive and physical.

That was Harrison's trademark -- dishing out bone-crushing hits to the opposition whether in the passing or running game. Harrison, who battled serious injures late in his career, never backed down. He was tough as nails and opposing teams had to always account for him or they might be taken off the field on a stretcher after Harrison unloaded a vicious hit.

Some say his physical play teetered on the side of cheap or dirty. Yes, Harrison was cheap at times with some late and unnecessary hits after the whistle, but he was a guy that you wanted on your side, not across the field.

Unfortunately, Harrison admitted to using a banned substance in 2007 and was suspended for four games and that's another black mark to his name. While I don't condone what he did, he came clean and admitted what he did was wrong. I quickly forgave him, but credibility wise, that's a devastating blow to a character of a player.

Make no mistake, Harrison wasn't a popular guy outside of his own locker room, but he didn't care. He played for his team, his coaches and the fans. He just wanted to win, nothing more and nothing less.

And the fans appreciate all you did as a member of the New England Patriots. We'll see you on TV on NBC this fall.