When asked yesterday about ESPN.com’s recent poll naming him the NFL’s dirtiest player, Rodney Harrison [stats] sounded none too pleased.
The Patriots veteran safety is tired of the reputation.
When asked why he keeps getting tabbed with the label, which was determined by a poll of NFL head coaches, Harrison suggested the voters haven’t done their homework.
“They’re ignorant, they don’t know me,” Harrison said. “If you take the time to get to know Rodney Harrison the person, you would know that’s not my makeup, that’s not my personality. I play hard. It’s unfortunate that you have stigma like that, but what can you say? They crucified Jesus Christ too, so, and I’m not comparing myself to him, but people are going to say things, they’re going to slander you. You just have to take it and try to be the best person you can be, respectful. I think I’ve done that. Even out on the field, I’m not trying to hurt anyone. I’m just playing hard. Trust me. They probably want me on their team.”
Harrison drew two personal foul penalties last season. Seventeen players were flagged for more. The panel of 18 coaches, however, singled out the two-time Pro Bowler.
Does that bother him?
“It used to bother me, maybe earlier in my career,” Harrison said, “but it no longer bothers me because I know what type of person I am and what type of player I am and what type of father and husband I am, so it really doesn’t bother me what people think. I know who I am.”
