Former Patriots, Bills RB Damien Harris Announces Retirement; Had 15 Rush TDs in 2021

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMarch 26, 2024

Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Damien Harris is walking away from the NFL after five seasons.

The running back announced his retirement on Monday in an Instagram post that said, “For the past 20 years, playing the game of football has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

Harris, who played for the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, continued the statement and reflected on his time at the sport’s highest level.

“The people I’ve met, the places I’ve been and will go on to go, the experiences and memories I’ve made, the impact I’ve been able to make to this point, these are the things that mean the most to me,” he wrote.

“Gratitude is defined as ‘the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.’ Today I am grateful I have found strength to walk away from the game I love so much.”

The Alabama product entered the league as a third-round draft pick in 2019 and played his first four seasons in New England.

His best individual campaign by a significant margin was his third one when he ran for 929 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 18 catches for 132 yards as a receiver out of the backfield.

However, a thigh injury and the emergence of Rhamondre Stevenson as the Patriots’ No. 1 running back cut into Harris’ production in 2022. He tallied 462 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 11 games and signed with the Bills ahead of the 2023 season.

Yet he played just six games last season and was placed on injured reserve because of a neck injury and concussion.

His final game came on Oct. 15 against the New York Giants when he was taken off the field in an ambulance after suffering the injury. It was a scary scene following a collision with Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke, although he gave a thumbs up as he was placed into the ambulance.

In all, Harris accounted for 2,188 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground during his NFL career.

The 27-year-old, who also won two national championships during his time with the Crimson Tide, will now look ahead to the next chapter of his life after hanging up the cleats.