After five NFL seasons, Damien Harris is officially retiring from football.
The former New England Patriots running back announced the news on Instagram on Monday night.
Harris wrote:
For the past 20 years, playing the game of football has been one of the greatest privileges in my life. Getting to represent the name on the back of my jersey on and off the field, getting to compete at the highest level with and against the best competitors while winning championships, and being coached by the two greatest head coaches of all time in Nick Saban and Bill Belichick are all just a small part of what God has done in my life with the game of football.
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Harris won two national titles with the Alabama Crimson Tide and was named to the Second-Team All-SEC in 2018. He was taken with the 87th pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Patriots.
After spending his first four seasons in New England, Harris joined the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills in 2023. He played in only six games before a nasty neck injury cut his season short.
At only 27 years old, Harris’ decision to walk away is likely him prioritizing his own health over the game of football. What a career it’s been for a player that competed under Saban and Belichick, along with being present for Tom Brady’s final year in New England.
Harris finished his NFL career with 472 rushes for 2,188 yards and 21 touchdowns. Yet, stats pale in comparison to the impact he left on former teammates, coaches and fans
It wasn’t a long NFL career, but it was a substantial one.