Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson has nixed a bid to run for Congress as a Democrat in New Jersey.

The 58-year-old retired New York Giant and Football Hall of Famer told The Associated Press in January he had been considering a run against five-term Republican Rep. Scott Garrett in a northern New Jersey district.

Carson reportedly told Bergen County Democratic officials late Tuesday that he has decided not to run.

Carson spent his entire professional career, from 1976 to 1988, playing for the Giants.

Since retiring, he worked in sports broadcasting and started his own sports consulting and promotions company.

Although he has never held public office, he was being recruited by officials with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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