What was supposed to be a typical segment about the Washington Commanders’ defense turned into immediate worry when NBC Sports NFL analyst Rodney Harrison froze up and couldn’t answer Jac Collinsworth’s question.
What Happened?
Harrison, Collingsworth, and former NFL head coach Tony Dungy were in the middle of their Sunday Night Football pregame show, Football Night in America, talking about the Commanders’ defense. Collinsworth asked Harrison the best way the Denver Broncos could attack the Commanders’ defense.
Harrison froze.
“Yeah, I look at,” said Harrison, before appearing to mumble.
Harrison then apologized before asking Collinsworth to repeat the question.
Harrison made a second attempt, but then bailed halfway through his analysis.
“The best way to attack them. I’m sorry, there’s a lot of stuff going on. I’m sorry. They don’t have a lot of discipline on the defensive side of the ball. That’s it. I’m sorry, guys,” Harrison said.
NFL Fans Seriously Concerned
It didn’t take long for fans to race to social media to express concern for the two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots.
One fan tweeted, “He was swaying, appeared to nearly faint, then couldn’t answer or even understand a simple question. I don’t think he’s ‘fine.'”
Another added, “Rodney mentioned that ‘there is a lot going on.’ Then he kept looking down at papers on the desk in front of him. Maybe he has some life challenges right now. Wishing the best for him.”
The scary episode was eerily similar to what happened to a Los Angeles news reporter in 2011, when Serene Branson mumbled her way through a live segment about the Grammys. Viewers feared she had suffered a stroke live on the air, but it turned out to be a migraine, per ABC News.
Harrison Is ‘Fine’
The sports media website Awful Announcing tweeted that “there was some concern about NBC’s Rodney Harrison not appearing well during ‘Football Night in America,’ the SNF pregame show.'”
The outlet added, “We are told he is fine and will appear postgame on Peacock.”
Harrison is a three-time All-Pro who joined NBC Sports after he retired from the NFL in 2009. Before leading the Patriots to two Super Bowl wins, Harrison had a standout career with the San Diego Chargers, which inducted him into its Hall of Fame in October.
