Former Jet linebacker Harris hangs up helmet
Former Jets great David Harris announced his retirement Friday after 11 seasons. The man of few words predictably kept his farewell remarks short and sweet: “After 11 years of having played the greatest team sport at its highest level, it’s now time for me to announce my retirement from the NFL,” the 34-year-old Harris said in a statement released by his agency, Sportstars New York.
Harris was a reliable defensive presence for four Jets coaches, a no-nonsense leader who ultimately finished as the franchise’s secondleading tackler (708). The middle linebacker played 160 games for Gang Green and missed a grand total of six games during his 10-year Jets career. He was the heartbeat of Rex Ryan’s teams that went to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010.
Harris was unceremoniously released last June before signing with the Patriots. Harris appeared in 10 games with New England, but was inactive during the team’s playoff run. — Manish Mehta
ISLES PAY BAILEY
Josh Bailey agreed to a six-year, $30 million deal Friday to stay with the Islanders instead of testing free agency this summer.
The 28-year-old forward, selected to his first All-Star appearance last month, has 15 goals and 47 assists this season — already setting career highs for assists and points (62).