New England Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears may not be coaching for much longer, and perhaps because of that, he and running back Damien Harris had an emotional moment during the teams’ finale, a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night.
With the game essentially over, Fears and Harris shared an embrace and a few emotional thoughts.
“You’re gonna have a great career,” Fears said. “You keep that attitude and you’re going to have a great career.”
“Thank you,” Harris replied.
Fears added: “You’re a different man than you were when you walked in here.”
“All because of you,” Harris said.
Think a Coach can have a lasting impact on a player? Ivan Fears answers that right here!
(Via @insidetheNFL @paramountplus @nfl)
— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) January 18, 2022
Harris had a big year for New England, with 202 carries for 929 yards and 15 touchdowns, even while missing two games with injuries. But it wasn’t just his game that evolved. He demonstrated an increased interest in leadership and took charge in the Patriots offense, which was headed by rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
It was a big year for Harris, who could take an even bigger role in 2022, if the Patriots lose pending free agents Devin McCourty, Matthew Slater and/or Dont’a Hightower. The absences of any one of those players could create a leadership void that Harris could help fill.
