Few people would have expected former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris to announce his retirement from the NFL on their bingo cards Monday night.
The 27-year-old Harris, who spent four seasons with the Patriots and the 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills, announced his retirement after only five seasons in the NFL.
“For the past 20 years, playing the game of football has been one of the greatest privileges in my life,” Harris wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Harris suffered a frightening-looking neck injury during Buffalo’s Week 6 victory over the New York Giants this season. Harris lay motionless on the turf after colliding with Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke. He was stretchered off the field and spent the night in the hospital.
Harris did not mention his neck injury in his retirement announcement, although he did not play another game following the event.
The 5-foot-11, 213-pound back had a solid stint with the Patriots, who took him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft from Alabama. After scarcely appearing as a rookie, Harris made an impact in the offense the next season, rushing for 691 yards and two scores.
Harris’ greatest season as a pro came in 2021, when he was New England’s featured back. That season, he rushed for 929 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Harris finished his four-year career with the Patriots with 2,188 yards rushing (4.6 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns.
Several of Harris’ former Patriots teammates, including Mac Jones, a college teammate, reacted to his retirement announcement on social media.
“All love Soaq,” Jones wrote in response to Harris’ post. “So thankful the game of football brought us together at Alabama. 4L!!!! Congratulations, brother. The next challenge has been accepted!!!”