Buffalo Bills Player Suddenly Announces Retirement At 27 After Suffering Severe Injury

One of the scarier injuries happened to Damien Harris. Per GH records, Harris suffered a neck injury in Week 6 and had to be taken off the field by an ambulance:

Offseason acquisition and former Alabama Crimson Tide star Damien Harris suffered a neck injury in last Sunday’s tilt, needing to be carted off the field as the NFL world held their collective breaths. Fortunately for the Bills and Harris, the running back avoided any lifelong injury but was placed in the concussion protocol in preparation for Week 7.

Harris was placed on injured reserve later in October and would not return for the rest of the season. The injury was not considered lifelong, but his career is over.

Damien Harris announced his retirement from the league

According to a post by Ari Meriov with the 33rd Team, Harris has announced his retirement from the league at 27. Harris thanked coaches Nick Saban and Belichick for his success on the football field:

“FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, PLAYING THE GAME OF FOOTBALL HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST
PRIVILEGES IN MY LIFE. GETTING TO REPRESENT THE NAME ON THE BACK OF MY JERSEY ON AND OFF THE FIELD, GETTING TO COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL WITH AND AGAINST THE BEST COMPETITORS WHILE WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND BEING COACHED BY THE 2 GREATEST HEAD COACHES OF ALL TIME IN NICK SABAN AND BILL BELICHICK ARE ALL JUST A SMALL PART OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN MY LIFE WITH THE GAME OF FOOTBALL.”

Harris wrote he was thankful for his time in the league:

“THE PEOPLE I’VE MET, THE PLACES I’VE BEEN AND WILL GO ON TO GO, THE EXPERIENCES AND MEMORIES I’VE MADE, THE IMPACT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE TO THIS POINT, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT MEAN THE MOST TO ME. GRATITUDE IS DEFINED AS “THE QUALITY OF BEING THANKFUL; READINESS TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR AND TO RETURN KINDNESS.” TODAY I AM GRATEFUL I HAVE FOUND THE STRENGTH TO WALK AWAY FROM THE GAME I LOVE SO MUCH,” Harris wrote.

Harris played for the Patriots before the Bills

Harris won two national championships at Alabama before the New England Patriots drafted him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He stayed with the Patriots through the 2022 season. He signed with the Bills in 2023.

Harris ran for 2,188 yards and scored 21 touchdowns in his five-year NFL career.