Author: Harry Carson

Care for one another…

If you’re like me, sometimes you live your life on a day-to-day basis wishing that you could do something to make a difference with various causes. I write this fully knowing that what I am about to say in this entry is not for everyone. I am not looking to play politics in any way, shape or form. The reason why I’m writing this is because I “CARE”.

As an athlete, to be successful especially in a team sport like football you must be able to put your feelings and differences aside to be the best you can be for your teammates. To be a leader or a “Captain” you must genuinely “CARE” about those you lead. One of the traits I have found to be key in being successful as a Captain of the Football Giants is being compassionate and caring about people. The one thing that every player I’ve played with in high school, college and the NFL know and understand is that being compassionate is embedded in my DNA. They know I “CARE” about them as well as those I come in contact with.

Earlier this year, with so many people around the country losing their jobs. I was looking at ways to make a personal statement that when some people don’t care about their fate, I “CARE” and I want to “Make a Difference” in the lives of people especially for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Many of you know that I try to be generous in giving away my personal autograph free to anyone who wants it. All they have to do is send me their own football card or picture with a self-addressed stamped envelope. For those of you who are true New York Giants/Harry Carson fans you should also know by now that under no circumstances do I give away any inscriptions (Hall of Fame 2006, 9 x Pro Bowl, etc.). With that being said, I wanted to share with you that I currently have a collection of personal and favorite football shots that are not on the “memorabilia market”. If you are a fan, I would like to extend an offer to you to purchase a special photo from my personal collection along with an inscription.

Please join me by showing people who might need some assistance from charities this upcoming holiday season that you “CARE” as well with a donation of $25.00 or more by check to any of the following charities listed below. With your donation Harry Carson Inc. will absorb the cost of the postage sending the item back to you. Make sure you include your return mailing address. There will also be a personal “Thank You” note from me as well to express my gratitude. Also, keep in mind that with a donation made out directly to a charity you will be able to write off the donation as a tax deduction.

Thank you very much in advance.

Harry Carson

NY Giants 1976 – 1988
Giants Ring of Honor

HOF 2006 #231
Cancer Survivor

Harry Carson
Harry Carson Inc.
P. O. Box 882
Franklin Lakes, NJ. 07417

A Thank You

I would like to take this time and space to thank my family and friends for their support and well wishes during my recent stint with Prostate Cancer. 

I was diagnosed earlier this year that I had some cells in my prostate that were cancerous. There was no immediate timetable to decide a definitive course of action. There were a couple of (family oriented) things on my calendar that I wanted to complete before going through any form of treatment. My family and I were fortunate to be able to move at our own pace because the cancer was caught early.  There were several routes we could have taken but as a family we thought that undergoing Robotic Surgery was our best option. To remove the prostate and be done was that organ once and for all was our choice. It’s good to know that the threat of cancer in that area has been diminished significantly.

I’ve been a proud advocate for men’s health screenings for over 35 years. I’ve been “blowing the horn” to alert men (especially black men and men of color) to get checked for prostate cancer on a yearly basis. Unfortunately, too many men feel that getting checked is either beneath them or they’re afraid of what might be found.  What I just experienced to become “cancer free” is exactly why I’ve been doing my best to deliver the message. If detected early the cancer is very treatable. I also try to emphasize to men to please get checked if not for themselves, for the people who love them, their wife/significant others, their kids and family members. Take care of themselves to be around for others.

Through the experiences I went through as an athlete or just as an individual I always try my best to learn a lesson. What I learned from this cancer experience is this:

  • I played 21 years of football including high school, college and professionally.
  • As a pro football player with the New York Football Giants, I was a Captain 10 of my 13 seasons.
  • Of the more than 5000 players to ever play for the New York Football Giants, I have been considered the 7th greatest player to have played with that team.
  • Less than 1% of former professional football players are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of the now 382 members of the Hall of Fame I am the 231st Former Player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  • My wife and I have worked closely with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund to raise funds to support families whose kids have battled cancer.

I say all of this to accentuate this point (and please excuse my language).

Cancer does not give Jack “Shit” 

who you are and what you’ve done!!!

Cancer does not care nor discriminate!

Web Site Update – A Message From Harry

It has been quite some time since HarryCarson.com has been updated. Except for asking for support by way of GoFundMe for my old teammate Brad Benson a couple of years ago it has been more like 2017 since we have left any updates.

With this upcoming National Football League season being the 100th Anniversary of the New York Football Giants I wanted to re-connect with fans, especially Harry Carson fans to discuss football, men’s wellness, relevant random thoughts and my dog “Charlie”. LOL…

We all have various forms of communicating instantaneously on social media like Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook, etc. in the blink of an eye. That will not necessarily be the case here, but I will commit to staying here at least through this football season. I’ve decided to ride this horse (HarryCarson.com) just a little longer. I welcome your thoughts and the opportunity to share my thoughts with you.

Harry Carson
New York Football Giants 1976 – 1988
Pro Football Hall of Fame 2006
New York Giants Ring of Honor

Festival of Economics of Trento 2017

I know, I know….! I have not updated my website in a while, my apologies to those who would like to keep up with what I am doing especially in regard to sports related concussion or traumatic brain injury issues. I promise to do better moving forward….

While I have been active promoting concussion awareness locally in the New York/New Jersey areas, I wanted to share that I recently had the opportunity to travel to Trento, Italy to participate in the Festival of Economics of Trento 2017. This is the 12th year of the Festival that has grown steadily year by year.

My role as a panelist was to share my thoughts on the benefits of sports to promote good health but also point out the hazard of sports related injuries that can have an adverse effect on health short and long term. I was honored to be invited by the festival organizers to share my sports experiences and discuss my thoughts on the short and long term effects of concussions on athletes. I was also honored as many of the Festival’s participants were experts in the field of economics from around the world including some of the leading Economist, University professors and Nobel Prize Recipients.

My session was very well received, well attended and covered by the Italian media, so much so that I was invited by organizers to participate again next year. I am already looking forward to 2018.

David “Deacon” Jones – A Lion of the game has passed….

Was very sadden to learn that a true “Lion” of the game passed away yesterday. David “Deacon” Jones was the epitome of what defense was in the National Football League and the game of football “back in the day” when football was really football. Much will be written by others about his on the field exploits, I will miss yet always remember his booming voice whenever he was present.

When I was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame new inductees attended a luncheon named after Green Bay Packers great Ray Nitschke with other Hall of Fame members. At the luncheon the new inductees could not speak, instead the seasoned members had the floor and shared with everyone in the room what the game of football and being a Hall of Fame member meant to them. I remember clearly how Deacon took the floor spoke with such passion as if he was in the confines of the locker room or in the huddle. He spoke of his love for the game but also of his love for his teammates and how he would do it all again in a heartbeat. From the tone of his voice I knew Deacon Jones the proud Lion loved the game but he also loved leaving a legacy for others like Reggie White or a Lawrence Taylor to strive to emulate on the football field.

I was proud to know that Deacon played at my alma mater South Carolina State where we played the same position, defensive end. I use to tease him that we probably wore the same number but it wasn’t until I wore the number that the school chose to retire the jersey. My teasing never got under his skin but he always had a good comeback to shut me up! I cherished every moment I spent with him and was very much honored to know him. Most important I am honored to be able to call David “Deacon” Jones my friend.

There is one thing my wife and I know for certain, wherever “Deacon” is right now we are certain that he is having a good time!