One of the top defensive players in the National Football League will have his high school jersey retired in the coming days.
Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro defensive lineman, will have his No. 23 jersey retired by Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) High School on Tuesday, July 15, which was announced by the Harrisburg School District. The jersey retirement ceremony takes place at 1:15 p.m. ET Tuesday at Severance Stadium, which will be held immediately after Parsons conducts his annual youth football camp.
No Harrisburg Cougar will wear No. 23 again, as the school is set to honor one of the best football players in the history of Central Pa. https://t.co/N3zvus6rd3 pic.twitter.com/JjbzTlEUfO
— High School Sports on PennLive (@Pa_Preps) July 10, 2025
Parsons transferred to Harrisburg from Central Dauphin High School prior to his junior season and played running back and defensive end. As a senior at Harrisburg, he scored 27 touchdowns while rushing for more than 1,230 yards.
Micah Parsons really scored 27 touchdowns in 12 games in high school
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 5, 2023
He was a legendary high school runningback…
Dallas gotta get him some carries pic.twitter.com/8hh0rD4Vnu
He went on to have a prolific college career at Penn State at linebacker, totaling 191 tackles, 6.5 sacks and six forced fumbles from 2018-19 before sitting out the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Parsons was the 12th overall selection in 2021 by the Cowboys, the first Nittany Lion linebacker to be drafted in the first round since 2000.
Parsons then moved back to defensive end early in his rookie season with the Cowboys and was named the unanimous Defensive Rookie of the Year while receiving his first Pro Bowl honor after recording 20 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He also earned All-Pro honors his second season in Dallas with 65 total tackles, 13.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
In his four-season career with the Cowboys, Parsons has netted 256 tackles, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and nine pass breakups.
And now, right before he gets set for his fifth season in Big D, Parsons will be honored by his high school alma mater.
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