The Loss of a Good Man!

The passing of someone special always means different things to different people. The passing of Merlin Olsen may not mean anything to those who never saw him play defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams or know him as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But I considered myself privileged to have been able to share time with him and work with him once I was inducted into the Hall working on Hall of Fame projects together. More importantly I was honored to serve as an advocate with Merlin on behalf of all former players for better benefits and pensions as part of the NFL Alliance. To those who didn’t know Merlin he was a tremendously compassionate and gentle man who wanted the best for his NFL brethren. If you are a former player I hope you know we’ve suffered a huge loss in the football fraternity.

We all love you Merlin, you’ve earned our respect. Rest in peace!

It’s becoming clearer to me……

After the brain injury coverage recently in Time magazine and on ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” of NFL Players, I have been inundated with letters and emails from former football players around the country who are still having neurological issues long after sustaining concussions during their playing days. You would think the mail would be coming from former professional players, instead the mail has been coming from guys in their 30s, 40s and 50s who never played on the NFL level. These guys played on the high school and/or college levels but not beyond that. Their emails bring me to a point of understanding that there are some major problems with concussions sustained in contact sports (but especially football) that have not adequately been addressed by anyone. It seems that the head trauma “train” which is not solely an NFL issue but in this case (a football issue in general) is coming down the track and is rapidly picking up speed! Something is going on with concussions in football that needs to be brought into the spotlight for all to understand.

If any readers of this blog played football on any level and sustained a “ding”, got your “bell rung” or flat out got a concussion in a game or in practice and is still dealing with neurological issues (headaches, depression, inability to focus, etc.) as a result I’d like to hear your story.

Harry Carson

A Softer side of Carson

Here’s an article I wrote for Odyssey Couleur Travel Magazine about my wife Maribel and I having a couples getaway in sunny Orlando. I thought some of my fans might enjoy seeing a different side of me, as well as reading about some nice, warm weather during this brutally cold January. You can find the article in the winter edition of the magazine, if you’re interested in picking it up.

 

It’s very seldom that my wife Maribel and I get an opportunity to spend real “quality” time together without family or job expectations. We are both guilty of putting family first and too often our careers over pleasure. Maribel is a Sales Manager with Continental Airlines and I’m a Sports Consultant, which includes but is not limited to owning my own business, Harry Carson Inc. I also do broadcasting with the New York Giants and I am Executive Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which works with the NFL to create more diversity in the league in such positions as general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts, front office personnel and game day officials.

We’ve both visited Orlando many times before, but in each case it was job-related or about making the kids and family members happy. Traveling to Orlando had never really been about us – until now! We were presented with an opportunity to spend several days exploring an area that most people only see as a Mouse Kingdom. Just being able to step away from every- thing for a day was enough for me, but to get away for several days with my wife was all I needed to enjoy myself.

Read The Article – Orlando For Adults (PDF)

Damn, What Happened to My Defense?

Went to the Giants/Panthers game to bid farewell to the stadium I helped to open in 1976. I was there with some of my other teammates like Karl Nelson, Carl Banks, Jim Burt, Ottis Anderson and Lawrence Taylor. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend time during the holidays with my 2 sons who had not attended Giants games in several years but being at the last game at Giants Stadium was special for me to do with them.

I love all of the players individually off the field but they all stunk up the place between 1 and 4pm. These guys left their hearts, pride and passion in the locker room or perhaps already forwarded those intangibles to the new stadium in advance of next season’s opening. They made a second string quarterback look like a Pro Bowler and a backup running back put up career numbers with over 200 yards rushing. I was embarrassed to see what I saw on the field. I went into the locker room after the game and one of the players apologized for the poor play of the team. He did not have to do that but I appreciated it. The reality is all players have an “off” day but off days cannot come when you are closing your building in front of your home fans on a beautiful December day.

I don’t need an apology but Giant fans who root for the team week in and week out deserve better.
One thing I do know is Wellington Mara probably rolled over in his grave with what was presented as Giants football by this team.

Congratulations George Martin!!!!

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to my good friend and New York Giants brother George Martin who was selected to be the new Executive Director of the new NFL Alumni. George has been a tremendous leader both on and off the playing field all of his life. He is deeply respected and admired by all who know him. He will now be charged with the responsibility to represent the issues of all retired players with the National Football League and the National Football League Player’s Association. George is one of the very few people I would trust with my life and I know he will do an excellent job for all retired players around the country. Good Luck “Old Reliable!”