Like Stockton, Harrison Thinks One Is Enough

For 19 years, a little known Gonzaga point guard, who in the 1984 NBA draft was passed up for the likes of show-stopping caliber players such as Melvin Turpin-(pick six by Washington), Lancaster Gordon-(pick eight for all you Clippers fans, who in 2008 would select another Gordon with pick seven), Leon Wood-(the pick 10 blunder by the 76ers), Tim McCormick-(Cavs selection at 12), Michael Cage-(Clippers again at 14, look at that, the Clippers had two chances at a life time point guard and wound up on the losing end of the Wonka tour), and Terence Stansbury-(pre-Mark Cuban Mavs blunder at 15).

For all the teams mentioned and any team that didn't take Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon or even Charles Barkley, look at what you could've had representing your team...

10x NBA All-Star(1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000)

Named to the NBA 50 Greatest Players

2x All-NBA First Team selection, 6x All-NBA Second Team selection

3x All-NBA Third Team selection

5x All-NBA Defensive Second selection

2x Bausch and Lomb Court Vision Award winner

2x Allstate Good Hands Award winner

Oh and 19,711 points, 15,806 assists-(NBA record) & 3,265 steals-(NBA record,) only 50 games missed in 19 years, all in two seasons back-to-back, and here is the kicker, ZERO arrests over that time. Yes, I did say ZERO.

This isn't about John Stockton though. This is about his NFL counterpart, Indianapolis Colts wide-out Marvin Harrison.

I am a Stockton fan, however, not much of a Colts or Harrison fan. In fact, most of my time during NFL season is spent talking about an awesome game from pretty much anyone other than a Colts player, I even jumped in a talk about Kevin Walter last week.

However, as it comes to a career, Harrison has shined. He doesn't complain, ask to be traded or demand the ball his way. He gets the ball because he shows he deserves it. You won't hear his voice other than to congratulate Dwight Freeney on a sack, Kelvin Hayden on an interception, or Anthony Gonzalez on a nice catch down the sideline. He's not the kind of guy to do interviews or make himself known.

He's known for playing football. Just as Stockton was known for playing basketball, and he's fine being known for one thing. It's like most players fall into the Burger King mentality. Have it YOUR way.

If I don't get the ball, maybe I'll whine till I get it. I won't go practice. If I think my coach belongs on a La-Z-Boy, rather than a sideline, I'll go to the press, and if I'd rather get high then play football, or beat someone up, then I'll do it.

Harrison, much like Stockton, subscribes to the Kentucky Fried Chicken mentality. "We do one thing and we do it RIGHT!" You won't see him being flashy, or hear him on the television or read about what he has to say in the newspaper, because his one thing is football, not running his mouth.

When his career ends at either the end of this season or next it will be in Indianapolis. It won't match 19 years of Stockton in Utah, but 13 or 14 years with one team is to be applauded and like Stockton he has many awards to his name, and was drafted after many players with far less talent.

The Giants took Cedric Jones with pick-five, St. Louis followed up with Lawrence Philips with pick-six, New England took Terry Glenn with pick-seven, but Harrison would've made Drew Bledsoe's career a bit easier. Anyone remember Tim Biakabutuka or Ray Dudley? They were picks eight and nine respectively by Carolina and Oakland. Picks 11 and 12 by the Saints and the Buccaneers were Alex Moldin and Regan Upshaw.

However, the best three for comparison came right before Harrison's selection. Duane Clemons with 16, by the Vikings. Almost sounds like a game of Clue. The Lions named down linebackers Reggie Brown with number 17 and the Rams took a wide-out with 18. Who was this wide-out? Why it was Eddie Kennison. Please don't hold in your laughs, believe me, I'm not at this point.

As you ponder why a team would pick Glenn or Kennison over Harrison or even Eric Moulds-(selected with pick 24) I'll give you Harrison's stat sheet.

Holds the NFL record for receptions in a single season with 143, set in 2002. Currently Harrison is averaging 86 receptions per season, which is an all-time record. He is ahead of second place Sterling Sharpe who averaged 85 receptions per season. He had previously been averaging 93 per season until 2007, where he missed the majority of games with a knee injury, resulting in a 20 reception season.

Only player to have four consecutive 100 or more reception seasons in NFL history. Only player to have four consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 receiving yards in NFL history. Only player to 50 or more receptions in his first 11 seasons in NFL history. Became the only player ever in the history of the NFL to have six double digit reception games in one single season in the 2002 regular season.

Became the only player in NFL history to have 12 games with eight or more receptions in a single season in 2002. Marvin Harrison and Manning hold the record for most receptions between a quarterback and a wide receiver with 956 receptions. Harrison trails only Jerry Rice in 1,500 or more receiving yard seasons. He has three such seasons, Rice had four.

Harrison and Manning currently hold the NFL record in receiving touchdowns between a QB and WR with 109 as the end of the 2007 season. With 59 career 100 yard receiving games, Marvin Harrison now ranks no. 2 all-time behind Rice and his 76 career 100 yard receiving games.

16 career games with at least 10 receptions. With eight straight seasons of 1,000 yards or more and 10 or more receiving TD's, Harrison has now set an NFL record passing Rice.

Second-fastest player to achieve 100 receiving touchdowns. As of December 31, 2006, Harrison has caught a pass in every game in his career (170), a record for any player to start his career. On December 10, 2006, made his 1000th reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He is among only four other players in NFL history to have over 1000 receptions. The other three being Rice, Cris Carter, and Tim Brown. And is the fastest player to do so reaching the mark in just 167 career games.

Most receptions in a two season period (252, 2001-2002). Most receptions in a three season period (354, 2000-2002). Most receptions in a four season period (469, 1999-2002). Most receptions in a five season period (563, 1999-2003). Most receptions in a seven season period (731, 1999-2005). Most receptions in an eight season period (826, 1999-2006). Eight straight seasons with at least 82 receptions.

On December 18, 2006, Harrison and Indianapolis Colt teammate Reggie Wayne became the only NFL wide receiver tandem to catch 75 receptions and 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. The game was on Monday night and was played against the Cincinnati Bengals.

On February 4, 2007, Harrison moved into second place for the most consecutive games with a reception with 184, passing Art Monk who had 183, and is now only behind Rice who had 274.

To go with:

8x Pro Bowl selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)

8x All-Pro selection (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)

Receptions 1,069

Receiving Yards 14,264

Receiving TDs 126

The point I'm trying to make is Harrison has done this for one team, not complained or whined. He plays ball, end of discussion.

 *The shooting that took place with a gun believed to be owned by Harrison, is still in the air. Harrison was not the shooter* This article was very close to being written about Ray Lewis, also drafted in 1996, and has played with the same team. Lewis takes a leadership role though as the star of the team. Harrison, like Stockton was fine being a sidekick to his other star player(s)

Thanks to Wikipedia.org for stat compiling*