Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC sports caster Rodney Harrison before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams
(New York, NY) – To most people, Zach Wilson pushed back against his (many) haters on Sunday night.
While the New York Jets ultimately came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs, and Wilson’s late fumble was a factor, the beleaguered QB played well enough to win – he completed 28 of 39 passes, for 245 yards, and 2 passing TDs. But for Rodney Harrison, who’s clearly really proud of himself as one of Wilson’s haters – that wasn’t worth spit.
Harrison, a two-time Super Bowl champion who starred for both the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers, was one of the best safeties to play over the past 30 years. Legendary coach Bill Belichick has called Harrison one of the best players he ever coached. His accolades on the field are well established. Harrison was also known as one of the league’s dirtiest players and was fined and suspended multiple times – racking up $200,000 in fines before his career was over. One such moment of unsportsmanlike play came in a helmet-to-helmet hit against legendary WR Jerry Rice – arguably among the greatest players ever to play the game. Not that Harrison would seem to care – if his reputation for dirty play and his work as a commentator would serve as any indication.
In other words, what would Harrison care if he had hurt Rice, or any other the other players he went up against? Harrison puts himself first and foremost. The idea of the NFL being a “fraternity” is clearly a phenomenon Harrison does not subscribe to. And the most recent example came during Sunday Night Football in embarrassing fashion.
It’s no secret that Zach Wilson has struggled as the QB of the Jets. This was true in previous seasons and since taking over for injured starter Aaron Rodgers. Despite that, Wilson has been professional and (largely) accountable for his struggles. Last year, Wilson seemed a bit aloof and somewhat impervious to criticism at times, but that tone shifted over time. The third year QB has admitted his play needs to improve and took to his role as understudy when Rodgers arrived. While it’s true that such an attitude hasn’t translated to better results on the field, and wins for the Jets, that reality shifted a bit on Sunday night. Wilson was far from flawless – he failed to move the ball early and fumbled the game away late – but he was improved, and gave the Jets a chance to win. Couple that with the fact that all anyone has been asking for, since Rodgers went down, was a QB that gave Gang Green a chance to win.
Back to “hater” Harrison. Pre-game, he blasted Wilson, sharing that while watching warmups the QB, “We were just watching 7-on-7s with Zach Wilson, and he was missing wide-open guys. And this is 7-on-7 without the offensive line. That has to be a concern.” Then, after the game, while co-hosting the postgame show on the MetLife Stadium turf, Harrison continued to attack Wilson in bizarre fashion. Maybe he has a personal beef with the former BYU Cougar? Harrison goaded Chiefs’ DE Chris Jones into criticizing his opponent.
The following exchange unfolded on NBC:
Rodney Harrison: Was Zach better tonight than what you anticipated he would be watching him on tape? And you can be honest.
Chris Jones: Honestly, if I’m being completely honest, we knew it was gonna be a battle. He’s continuing to get better week in and week out. He’s continuing to lead week in and week out —
Harrison: But watching that tape, man, you gotta look at this dude and say, “He is complete garbage, like, we should really tear him apart.” …
Jones: Like I said, Zach Wilson is special, man, you just gotta give the guy time, you know what I mean?
Harrison: Wait, did you say Zach Wilson is “special?” I think he had a special night, but I don’t think he’s “special.”
On social media, many people reacted to the awkward exchange. That included current defensive star Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. Parsons took to X and said: “Broo honestly I’ll never understand media!! This platform should been a moment to praise the chiefs and they win!! This guy is trying to completely trying tear Zach Wilson down !! I don’t get it!! I honestly hope Zach proves a lot of these people wrong!”
Others expressed similar sentiments. Which makes sense. In this day and age of massive contracts, relatively short careers, and an increased awareness surrounding the wear and tear football puts on bodies (and minds) there’s one word that would properly encapsulate the way Harrison is being toward Wilson: weird. Most players see themselves as colleagues, as well as competitors. There’s a willingness to talk trash between the lines, and even after games, but the overarching theme is one of brotherhood. So, people like Harrison being willing to tear down a current player and more or less treat him as a joke is bizarre.
That’s not to say it’s entirely isolated behavior, or that there aren’t any other weird players. After the crosstown New York Giants lost last week against the San Francisco 49ers, some of the Niners’ players were quick to criticize Giants’ QB Daniel Jones. Some on the record, others very-unimpressively off the record. So, what’s up with that? And Harrison in regard to Wilson.
Nfl Ny Jets Vs Detroit Lions Lions At Jets
The short answer is jealousy. QBs get the biggest pay day, and for simple people, only money matters. Specifically, the amount of money people makes. They’re constantly “in other people’s pockets.” It’s ugly, and unfortunate, but it’s reality. Of course, the fact QB is also the de facto PR team spokesperson, scapegoat for all that goes wrong, and a pretty difficult position to play – that’s ignored. There’s potential grandeur, plenty of attention, and yes – riches – if you succeed at QB. Some people find themselves salty at that proposition. It would seem Harrison is among them.
For Wilson, it’s just another week where he has to try and keep his eyes focused forward. There’s no other option. He’ll get paid (or slink out of the league) based on X’s and O’s, completed passes, first downs, and TDs. Harrison is at the point in his career where he can sling words and get the job done. That’s the difference.
