Rodney Harrison’s Take on Xavier Worthy Ages Poorly After Chiefs Rookie’s Explosive Touchdown

Before the Kansas City Chiefs' NFL season opener on Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens, NBC Sports analyst and former NFL safety Rodney Harrison made a bold statement about the team's new wide receiver, Xavier Worthy.

Harrison, known for his outspoken nature during his playing days and now as an analyst, confidently dismissed the threat posed by Worthy, a rookie wideout who had been turning heads in training camp. Worthy, a former Texas Longhorn standout, had gained considerable attention for his remarkable 4.21-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, showcasing his blazing speed that left scouts buzzing. With such an impressive performance at the Combine, many expected Worthy to be a key weapon for Kansas City.

However, Harrison was unfazed by the hype surrounding Worthy.

“Xavier Worthy is this little skinny guy, he doesn’t scare me,” Harrison said in the pregame show. “I know he is fast, but he doesn’t scare me.”

Worthy wasted no time in proving Harrison wrong. On the Chiefs' very first drive, on 1st-and-10 at Baltimore's 35-yard line, Worthy used his blistering speed on a jet sweep to dart past defenders, scoring on his very first career touch. The electrifying play showcased the very trait that Harrison downplayed—Worthy's unmatched speed—as he turned a simple route into a memorable 35-yard touchdown. Arrowhead Stadium erupted in cheers, and social media quickly followed suit, with fans taking the opportunity to remind Harrison of his ill-timed comments.

One fan succinctly captured the sentiment, saying , “Aged like milk.” Another fan echoed this thought, posting , “Rodney Harrison always has horrible takes.”

Harrison, who had a stellar NFL career with the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers, has built a reputation as a tough and no-nonsense analyst. However, his comments about Worthy quickly became the latest in what many fans see as a series of misguided takes.

“Rodney with another bad take? Typical,” wrote one fan , while another added , “Harrison is an idiot.”

For Chiefs fans, Worthy’s touchdown was a thrilling moment that showed the rookie receiver's potential to be a game-changer. But for Harrison, it was yet another instance where his outspoken style backfired.

One particularly pointed comment read , “Nothing new for Harrison for putting his foot in his mouth.”

Worthy's explosive start to the game was a reminder of the unpredictability of the NFL. While Harrison may have seen a "little skinny guy," Worthy saw an opportunity to shine—and he took full advantage of it. As the Chiefs continue their season, it’s clear that dismissing the speedster could be a mistake, one that fans and analysts alike will remember.