|
|
|
E-GIANTS By DAVE KLEIN It draws teammates and coaches and on-lookers to the annual induction ceremony, and yesterday it was doubly important because among the six newest members was former Giants' middle linebacker Harry Carson. It was a beautiful, sun-drenched afternoon on the field at Fawcett Stadium, and a visitor found Super Bowl XXV MVP Ottis Anderson sitting next to him. Why was O.J. there? "It's for Harry," he said. "He was a lot more than just a great football player. He was even more than a good friend. There was always something about Harry that was special." Special? How about standing there and telling the world that among those to whom he wanted to dedicate this great honor in his life were the victims of 9/11, because they were Giant fans. Harry Carson retired 18 years ago, having spent his entire 13-year career with the Giants, and it took another 13 years before he was voted for induction. It was way too long, way too insulting, and he mentioned that, too. But it was only a sidelong, glancing blow. He referred to his "long wait" and then let it drop. Special? He said he dropped out of his first football experience because he didn't like the game or the violence, but then he got home in Florence, S.C., and decided that he never wanted to be known as a quitter. So he went back, and committed himself to the game, and then he said he was never the best athlete at any level of his football experience, but he was totally committed and he played harder and with more intensity than any of the rest. Yes, that he did. And why didn't he like football at first? "Because I have my mother's heart," he said. "Because while I looked like a mean, tough football player I was like my mother. She was caring and gentle and that's really what I am." He was the Harry Carson who invented the Gator Ade bath, who tormented head coach Bill Parcells with it after important victories. It became a playful ritual and the fans in Giants Stadium roared their approval and delight. He was the mentor and counselor of a young, immensely talented but equally wild linebacker named Lawrence Taylor, who yesterday admitted that "without Harry Carson's help in my first two years, I might not be in the Hall of Fame at all." He is the Harry Carson who was, with defensive end George Martin, a team leader. And George was there yesterday, smiling broadly. "Harry Carson is the best man I know," he said. "There is nowhere else I would be today." And we went back to O.J., who should be in this building, too. And if it means embarrassing him, he was seen sitting on a small couch in the building during a pre-ceremony tour, just staring at the busts of those already inducted. Does he belong there? Of course he does. Will he ever make it? One can only hope. Among those who came to see Harry join this ultimate fraternity were O.J., Martin, running back Joe Morris, wide receiver Stephen Baker, linebacker Brian Kelley, cornerback Everson Walls and others, whose presence was rumored but not seen such as linebacker Carl Banks and, of course, L.T. And with Harry being Harry, he started his acceptance remarks ("I didn't prepare a speech," he said, "I didn't think I needed one") with a bit of a nudge to the NFL and the Players Association. "I hope they take a look at the product here on the stage," he said, referring to the 25 or so current members of the Hall of Fame, "and remember that thousands and thousands of great athletes played in this league during my years, and they all can't be in the Hall of Fame but they all are owed a lot. I would hope the NFL and the Players Association will do a much better job at looking out for them. We all owe them so much." Remember, he cautioned, "this is just a game, but what we accomplish is more than that, much more. I was proud to have participated on this stage, and I am so much unlike a football player because I have my mother's heart." Carson was presented by his son, Donald, who has apparently just recently recovered from a life-threatening blood disease, and when Donald's introduction was completed, the two met at center stage and hugged. They hugged for a long time, and the crowd sensed that it was special. Funny how that word -- special -- keeps cropping up when discussing Harry Carson. "My father used to tell us that there are two ways to go after something," Donald said. "It is a want or a need? If it's a want, you don't really need it. If it's a need, it had better be important. And I think he really wanted this Hall of Fame moment, but not for him, he wanted it for his family, his friends and all the fans. The Hall of Fame was not a need for him, but he saw it as a need for so many others." He was a special player and he is a special man, and because of that, yesterday was a special day. You know, congratulations are in order for Troy Aikman and Rayfield Wright, for John Madden and Warren Moon, and for the late Reggie White. They all deserved this honor, and some were almost as late in finally receiving it as was Carson. But somehow, when you consider the man that lives inside this hard, tough football player, you feel as though Harry deserved it more. It was a special day for a special man, and next week we'll get back to the current Giants. Check out Dave's website at E-GIANTS
where you can subscribe to his newsletters which run much more frequently than what is available here. NEW - Send a request to davesklein@aol.com for a free week's worth of news!
|
||||||||
|
Stop in and visit "Mike's
Keys to the Internet" |
|
|