Joey Harrington was seemingly born to play quarterback.
His grandfather played the position at the University of Portland and his father spent his college career as the signal caller at the University of Oregon. After Joey’s birth, legendary Ducks coach Lou Casanova reportedly sent his parents a letter of intent for young Joey to join the Ducks years down the road.
The third generation Harrington field general did just that, after graduating from Central Catholic High School in Portland, where he finished his career with over 4,000 yards passing and 50 total touchdowns.
Harrington spent three remarkable seasons in Eugene, finishing 25-3 as a starter and, in turn, bringing the school back to national prominence. During his senior season with the Ducks, he threw for over 2,400 yards and 23 touchdowns and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Harrington was selected third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Thrust into the starting job early in year one, he held the job for all of his rookie season.
Detroit was a difficult place to play with the never ending front office issues, a lack of offensive line protection, an underwhelming amount of talent at many skill positions and a seemingly constant changing of team philosophy and identity. Harrington tried to stay positive but after four years in Detroit, he was traded to Miami, spent time in Atlanta and finished as a backup with the New Orleans Saints.
A member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, he now serves as the President of the Harrington Family Foundation, helping provide scholarship and mentorship support to young people.
In our latest Q&A, Harrington talks about the rookie premiere photo shoot sign and swap, death threats from “fans,” beating Tom Brady and more.
