Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and the 30 best HBCU football players of all time
By Dante Pryor
16. Harry Carson, linebacker, South Carolina State
“The Captain” Harry Carson was one of the greatest inside linebackers in the history of football. Carson was an understated member of the New York Giants of the 1980s, a team full of colorful characters, including their head coach Bill Parcells.
Before the NFL, Carson had an outstanding career for the South Carolina State Bulldogs. Playing for legendary coach Willie Jefferies, Carson did not miss a game during his collegiate career. In addition, Carson won MEAC defensive player of the year twice and was an All-American in 1975.
That same year, Carson set school records in tackles (117) and sacks (17). Carson was a fourth-round draft pick of the New York Giants in 1976. Carson played all of his 13 seasons with the Giants leading them in tackles, and was captain for ten.
Carson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. As a pro, Carson was a nine-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion and member of the Giants Ring of Honor.
The South Carolina native was a catalyst for the Giants of the 1980s, and Bill Belichick considered Carson the best linebacker he ever coached. Carson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.