‘Grateful’ Harris retires after stops with Pats, Bills

Alaina Getzenberg, ESPNMar 25, 2024, 09:06 PM ET
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ORLANDO, Fla. — Former New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris announced his retirement in an Instagram post on Monday night.

Harris wrote a three-slide statement including, “Today I am grateful I have found the strength to walk away from the game I love so much.”

Harris’ one season with the Bills ended in Week 6 vs. the Giants. He was taken off the field in an ambulance with neck and concussion injuries.

Harris, 27, played the first four seasons of his career with the Patriots prior to signing with the Bills. He was drafted out of Alabama in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. Harris played 38 games with the Patriots, starting 34. He dealt with a thigh injury during the 2022 season.

His best season came in 2021 when he rushed for 929 yards and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. He had two 1,000-yard rushing seasons with Alabama.

Harris thanked his wife and acknowledged his first child, Dame Harris II, who was born earlier this month.