Joey Harrington: From NCAA Cover to NFL Challenges

John Joseph "Joey" Harrington (born October 21, 1978) is an American former professional football quarterback whose career spanned seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Before his time in the NFL, Harrington was a celebrated college player for the Oregon Ducks, earning Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year honors during his senior year. His collegiate success led to him being selected third overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2002 NFL Draft. Despite high expectations, Harrington struggled to replicate his college performance in the NFL.

Early Life and College Career

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Harrington's football journey began at the University of Oregon, where he became a three-year starter for the Oregon Ducks. During his senior season, he threw for 2,415 yards and 23 touchdowns, solidifying his place as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.

Harrington's college career was marked by impressive statistics and accolades. He completed 512 of 928 pass attempts (55.2%) for 6,911 passing yards and 59 touchdowns. He also added 210 rushing yards and 18 scores on 145 carries. His leadership led the Ducks to a 25-3 record, including bowl victories against #12 Texas and #3 Colorado.

In 2001, Harrington finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, boosted by a notable campaign that included a billboard in Times Square promoting him as "Joey Heisman." He earned first-team All-American honors and was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2001.

One of Harrington's most memorable college games was the 2002 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, where he threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Ducks to a 38-16 victory over Colorado. Conversely, his worst game is often cited as the 2000 Civil War game, where, despite throwing for 333 yards, he had five interceptions, three of which were by Oregon State defensive back Jake Cookus.

NCAA Football 2003 Cover

EA Sports selected Joey Harrington for the cover of the 2003 edition of their NCAA Football video game series. This honor underscored his status as one of the most prominent figures in college football at the time.

Electronic Arts officially announced that Joey Harrington would grace the cover of NCAA Football 2003. Harrington, a former University of Oregon quarterback and a finalist for the 2002 Heisman Memorial Trophy, was also the Detroit Lions' first-round pick (third overall) in the NFL draft.

Harrington expressed his excitement about the deal, stating, "This has been a very exciting year for me, and being on the cover of NCAA Football 2003 is a huge thrill. I'm a big fan of video games and never imagined I would ever be on the cover of one. EA is known for making the best games, and it is an honor that they chose me to be on theirs."

Harrington's image appeared on all NCAA Football 2003 packaging and merchandising. He helped the Oregon Ducks win the 2001 Pacific 10 Conference title and led the team to victory in the Fiesta Bowl in 2002. As a senior, Harrington threw for 2,414 yards and 23 touchdowns, marking the second-highest single-season total in school history.

NCAA Football 2003 captured the intensity, pageantry, and spirit of college football, celebrating the loyalty and tradition of college football's storied programs. The game was available on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube.

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NFL Career

Detroit Lions (2002-2005)

The Detroit Lions selected Harrington with the third overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, signing him in mid-July. Head coach Marty Mornhinweg designated him as the quarterback of the future but initially placed him behind Mike McMahon and Ty Detmer.

During his first preseason game, Harrington threw two interceptions, including a game-losing pick-6 against the Baltimore Ravens. However, in his next preseason game, he showed promise by throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Harrington's NFL debut came in a Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, where he completed 4 of 11 passes for 41 yards. After Week 2, he was named the starter, replacing McMahon. His first start was in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, which marked the opening of Ford Field. In that game, Harrington threw for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns but also had 4 interceptions. Despite a late rally, the Lions lost.

Harrington secured his first NFL victory in Week 4 with a 20-7 win over the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 267 yards and a touchdown without any turnovers or sacks. In Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions were down 24-31 and at Minnesota's 8-yard line, but Harrington couldn't lead them to a score.

In the season opener of the following year, Harrington threw for 195 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, leading the Lions to a 42-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. However, the Lions then went on a six-game losing streak, during which Harrington threw 12 interceptions and only 4 touchdowns. In a Week 12 game against the Minnesota Vikings, Harrington threw for 167 yards, 1 touchdown, and 4 interceptions, including two back-to-back pick-6's.

Facing the Houston Texans in Week 2, Harrington passed for 176 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, leading the Lions to their first 2-0 start since 2000. In Week 7, he threw for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, contributing to a 28-13 win and a 4-2 record. However, the Lions experienced another losing streak, dropping five straight games before a Week 13 win against the Arizona Cardinals, where Harrington threw for 196 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. In Week 14 against the Green Bay Packers, Harrington completed just 5 of 22 passes for 47 yards as the Lions surrendered a 13-0 lead.

Miami Dolphins (2006)

After the 2005 season, the Lions signed free agents Jon Kitna and Josh McCown and traded Harrington to the Miami Dolphins on May 12, 2006, for a fifth-round draft pick in 2007. He began the 2006 season as a backup to Daunte Culpepper.

Harrington did not play in the Dolphins' first four games. Culpepper's shoulder injury before the fifth game against the New England Patriots thrust Harrington into the starting role. Harrington lost his first three starts before leading Miami to a 31-13 win over the previously unbeaten Chicago Bears.

He followed that game with four consecutive victories, including a 27-10 Thanksgiving Day win against his former team, the Detroit Lions, where he passed for 3 touchdowns and 213 yards, achieving a passer rating of 107.4.

After the Lions' game, Harrington struggled. In Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, he went 5-for-17 for 20 yards and threw two interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 0.0. He was replaced by Cleo Lemon during the next game against the New York Jets. Harrington did not play in Miami's Week 17 finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

Atlanta Falcons (2007)

On April 9, 2007, Harrington signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons to compete with D. J. Shockley. Following Michael Vick's suspension, Harrington was named the starting quarterback for the 2007 season.

Despite a strong preseason, the Falcons signed Byron Leftwich as a potential replacement after an 0-2 start. In Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, Harrington completed 31 of 44 passes for 2 touchdowns and no interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 110.1.

New Orleans Saints (2008-2009)

On March 5, 2008, the Falcons released Harrington in a salary cap move. He signed with the New Orleans Saints on September 19, 2008, serving as the third-string quarterback behind Drew Brees and Mark Brunell for one game. On March 30, 2009, Harrington re-signed with the Saints on a one-year deal.

Legacy and Post-NFL Life

During his time in Detroit, Harrington was initially hailed as a "savior" but later deemed a "bust" due to unmet expectations. Many argue that his premature start in the NFL, coupled with a lack of supporting talent, poor coaching, and unstable offensive lines, significantly impacted his performance. Former quarterback Phil Simms defended Harrington, stating that he received unfair criticism in Detroit.

Harrington married Emily Hatten on March 10, 2007. They have two sons, born in 2009 and 2012. After his release from the Saints in September 2009, Harrington and his family moved back to Portland. He has since dedicated more time to his family and various charitable endeavors.

He co-owned the Pearl Tavern, a restaurant in Portland's Pearl District, which operated from 2016 to 2018. In July 2011, Harrington was injured in a bicycle accident in Portland, suffering a broken collarbone, a punctured lung, and fractured ribs.

In 2009, Harrington worked as an NFL and college football commentator for Fox Sports Radio. He currently serves as a college football analyst for Fox College Football on FX and Fox.

In 2003, Harrington established the Harrington Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting youth education, activities, and other charitable causes. The foundation was initially funded with a portion of his signing bonus with the Detroit Lions. The foundation raises money through memorabilia sales and events. After receiving the "Joey Heisman" billboard from the former Oregon Ducks Athletic Director Bill Moos, he cut it up and sold the pieces for charity.

Analyzing Harrington's Career

Joey Harrington's career is a complex narrative of high expectations, early promise, and eventual struggle. His college success at Oregon made him a highly touted NFL prospect, leading to his selection as the third overall pick in the 2002 draft. However, he faced numerous challenges in the NFL, including playing for a struggling Detroit Lions team with inconsistent coaching and a lack of supporting talent.

Despite these challenges, Harrington displayed moments of brilliance and resilience, particularly during his brief stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2006. His ability to lead the team to a winning streak after taking over for an injured Daunte Culpepper showcased his potential.

While Harrington's NFL career may not have lived up to the lofty expectations set during his college years, he remains a significant figure in Oregon Ducks football history and has transitioned into a successful post-NFL career as a media personality and philanthropist.

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