Former Alabama running back announces retirement from the NFL
Damien Harris, a former Alabama running back, has “found the strength to walk away from the game I love so much” and will retire after five NFL seasons.
On Monday night, Harris posted on his Instagram account:
“For the past 20 years, playing the game of football has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”Getting to represent the name on the back of my jersey on and off the field, competing at the highest level with and against the best competitors while winning championships, and being coached by two of the greatest head coaches of all time, Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, are all just a small part of what God has
“The people I’ve met, the places I’ve gone and will continue to travel, the experiences and memories I’ve created, and the effect I’ve been able to make up to this point are the most important things to me.
“Gratitude is defined as ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness.'” Today, I am thankful that I had the courage to leave the game I adored.”
Harris, a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, had little action during his first season with the New England Patriots. He later led the Patriots in running yards in 2020 and 2021. Harris remained New England’s starter running back in 2022, although he missed six games, the most of
Harris departed the Patriots for the Buffalo Bills in free agency last offseason, although he only appeared in six games during the 2023 season.
On October 15, Harris was tackled by linebacker Bobby Okereke on his first carry in Buffalo’s game against the New York Giants. Harris did not get up after the 1-yard gain, as players from both sides desperately waved for assistance from the sidelines.
After being treated on the field, Harris was strapped to a backboard and placed into an ambulance at Highmark Stadium before being transported to Erie County Medical Center.
Harris has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. Later in the week, Buffalo placed the running back on injured reserve, and Bills coach Sean McDermott stated that Harris had
Harris became an unrestricted free agent on March 13 and has not signed for the 2024 season. Harris just became a parent.
On 472 carries in 44 NFL regular-season games, Harris gained 2,188 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also grabbed 42 passes for 297 yards.
As a freshman at Alabama, Harris had a limited role with Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake ahead of him on the depth chart of the 2015 CFP national-championship squad. Harris then led Alabama in running yards in 2016, 2017, and 2018, while the 2017 team also won the CFP national championship.
The Crimson Tide Harris rushed for 3,070 yards and 23 touchdowns on 477 runs, while catching 52 receptions for 407 yards and two scores.
