James Harrison

At 45 years old, James Harrison has this physical status:

James Henry Harrison Jr. (born May 4, 1978) is a retired American football linebacker.

He played college football for Kent State University and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002.

Harrison also won two Super Bowls with the Steelers: XL and XLIII, a five-time Pro Bowl pick.

In 2008, he was the only undrafted player to be named Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. Harrison has appeared with NFL Europe's Rhein Fire and appeared in short stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

He said he would be retiring from football after the 2013 season, but he came out of retirement to rejoin the Steelers and spent his final NFL season with the New England Patriots.

Harrison is the Steelers' all-time sack leader with 80.5.

Harrison is now a football analyst on FS1.

Early years

Harrison, the youngest of 14 children to James Sr. (a chemical truck driver) and Mildred, was born in Akron, Ohio. He competed in Little League baseball in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for Sloan Little League's Green Team. In 1991, he was chosen to the All-Star team. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, and his favorite NFL team was the Cleveland Browns, who played only 40 miles from his house. His mother did not want him to play football at first, but not until he was teenagers. Both Harrison and his best friend from childhood, David Walker, had to convince her. When he first started to play, he excelled at both linebacker and running back. He attended two high schools in his freshman year, Archbishop Hoban High School and Coventry High School, where, in addition to football, he competed in track & field, competing in sports ranging from shooting put to high jump. In the high jump, he had a PR of 15.63 meters (51 ft 3in) in the shot put, 38.86 meters in the discus throw (127 ft 5 in) and 1.85 meters (6 ft 1 in) with a total distance of 1.83 meters (6 ft 1 in). He was also a state qualifier in the 4 x 100 meter relay. Jonathan Holloman and Harrison Holloman were two of the first African-Americans to play football at Coventry. Harrison graduated in 1998.

His high school football abilities were fantastic, but his maturity at times was a problem. Harrison did not pay attention to his grades or college entrance exams, and by his senior year, he had become a backslash to his football team. Coventry staff had to suspended him for two games after referring an assistant coach to a fight early in his senior year. He started the game by running three times for nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns after recovering from his suspension in his next game. He ran down the opposing team's sideline and was banned for one game after making offensive gestures to the fans. After firing a BB rifle in the school locker room toward a defensive coach, Harrison appeared in court shortly thereafter. He pleaded guilty to a minor charge and was able to return to school to finish his senior year. Scholarship offers were rescinded due to their off-the-field success of football programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Nebraska.

Personal life

Harrison's coworkers also named him "Silverback" after the character from the Friday films, as well as being named "Silverback."

James Harrison III, who was born in 2007, and Henry in 2009.

After the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII, Harrison decided not to visit the White House with the rest of the team. Thanks to some of Harrison's reporting, the Steelers' second best NFL team after his hometown team, the Chicago Bears, would have welcomed the Arizona Cardinals if they did not win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm worried, I'm worried that if they've won, they might've welcomed Arizona.' After winning Super Bowl XL while George W. Bush was president, Harrison skipped the team's tour.

Harrison was arrested in March 2008 and charged with simple assault and criminal mischief arising from a domestic altercation with his partner, Beth Tibbott. The district attorney dropped all charges on April 3, 2008, because Harrison had completed anger management training and psychological counseling.

Since the team released wide receiver Cedrick Wilson in a related but unrelated occurrence about the same time, but did not release Harrison, the investigation sparked some doubt. Wilson's "case-by-case basis" was determined by the Steelers' insistence that Wilson's occurrence and Wilson's disappearance were investigated "on a case-by-case basis" and Wilson's involvement revealed that Wilson's conduct had "accepted release," even though Harrison had "taken responsibility for his conduct." Dan Rooney, a lifelong devout Catholic, said the incident was concerning their son's baptism, that Harrison's girlfriend did not want their son to be baptized, and that Harrison summoned Rooney immediately to alert them of the incident. Nonetheless, there were also allegations of a double standard due to the timing of both Harrison's and Wilson's incidents. In neither case, the NFL, which had been cracking down on off-the-field conduct, took no action.

When James III, Harrison's nephew, became agitated and bit him, he suffered a fractured leg. Beth Tibbott, the boy's mother, who had to let the dog out of his cage, was also bitten as she attempted to intervene. The dog bit the player's massage therapist, who needed three stitches. The child's injuries, according to William Parise's handler, are "serious but certainly not life-threatening." James III was released from the hospital three days later. The pit bull was supposed to be euthanized, but Harrison was able to place the dog in a temporary home that specializes in teaching aggressive dogs.

In Men's Journal, Paul Solotaroff's controversial journal article titled "James Harrison: Confessions of an NFL Hitman" was published on July 13, 2011. Harrison was asked repeatedly about who he is and why he plays the game of football the way he does. As Harrison starts talking about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the drama comes into play. Goodell was branded a "crook and a puppet" by Harrison, who went on to say, "I hate him and will never respect him." Harrison also made remark about his quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, and other National Football League players, such as Brian Cushing. On July 14, 2011, Harrison released an apology for his remarks.

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College career

Harrison was a student at Kent State University and spent time on the Kent State Golden Flashes football team. Harrison started playing for the last three games of the 1999 season after being forced to sit out of his freshman year owing to NCAA academic policies, leading the team with 106 total tackles and 13 tackles for a loss. He also had an intercepto and three of his fumble recoveries.

Harrison finished with 12 tackles, 5 sacks, and a forcible fumble during his last collegiate game against Miami University. He dismissed Ben Roethlisberger, his future teammate, on third and fourth down to win by 24-20. In 2001, he had 98 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and led the MAC conference with 15 sacks, while still being named to the first-team Mid-American Conference.

After graduating, he rejoined Kent State's Varsity "K" Hall of Fame in 2010 and was inducted into the San Diego Chargers tight end, Antonio Gates. Harrison also made a donation of $100 to his alma mater, who in turn named the field house in his honor. Harrison's jersey number 16 was retired in 2013 by Kent State.

Professional career

Harrison went undrafted in the 2002 NFL Draft because teams feared he was too short (six feet) to play linebacker and too heavy (240 pounds) to play on the defensive line. He was invited by a few clubs to attend his training camp. Harrison was the first Kent State alumnus to play at linebacker for the team after Hall of Famer Jack Lambert.

Harrison spent two years on and off the practice squad for the Steelers, being suspended three times, and he was also on the active roster for a brief period of time in 2002, playing only special teams. Harrison, a teammate and fellow linebacker, told NFL Network that he was so green early in his career that he would "give up" on plays on which he was failing and that even asked the coaches not to bring him if he was struggling. "He was a knucklehead that didn't know the plays," Farrior said. We'd be in practice, but we'd not know what he was doing so he'd just sit and wave his hands up and tell (the coaches) to get him out of there. The guy was deemed "mad," according to the reports.

During this time, Harrison wore number 93 before adopting his more popular number 92, which was worn by fellow linebacker and Pro Bowler Jason Gildon at the time.

He was signed by Baltimore in late 2003 and then moved to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, but the Ravens cut him down later.

Harrison considered not playing anymore after being suspended for the fourth time. Clark Haggans sustained an injury in an offseason weightlifting crash just after signing him for the fourth time by the Steelers during training camp in 2004. Harrison made the final roster and remained with the Steelers through the 2012 season, showing a lot of improvement. Harrison told the Beaver County Times that if not for Haggans' injury, he planned to return from football at age 26 to become a veterinarian, something Harrison plans on doing now that his football career has ended. Harrison was also considering following in his father's footsteps to become a truck driver, but now has a commercial driver's license.

Harrison spent the majority of his 2004 season on special teams and on defense as a linebacker, with occasional reps at the defensive end. On November 14, Cleveland Browns running back William Green was suspended for fighting during the pregame warm-ups. He got his first career start against his hometown Cleveland Browns. Harrison had a good game statistically speaking in the Steelers' 24–10 victory over their hated opponent.

In the final week of the season against the Buffalo Bills, Harrison scored his first touchdown on a fumble recovery.

Clark Haggans, the starting linebacker, was out for three games of the 2005 season. In a game against the San Diego Chargers, where he intercepted a Drew Brees pass for a 25-yard return, his best highlight of the year was his. He made a big leap over LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers' running back, during his return.

During a 41–0 victory over Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve, Harrison earned some respect and acclaim when he restrained a Cleveland Browns fan. Harrison grabbed the guy and slammed him on the ground while inebriated. Harrison held the fan on a stall until authorities took him away.

The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL for the first time this season. Although Harrison was not a key factor in the game, he did participate and win a Super Bowl ring with the team, gaining a team-high three special teams tackles.

The Steelers cut Joey Porter for salary cap reasons in the 2007 offseason, with longtime head coach Bill Cowher resigning after 15 years and Mike Tomlin taking over the reins. Though the Steelers selected two linebackers with their first two picks of the year (Lawrence Timmons and Lamarr Woodley), Harrison was named the starter in place of Porter. Harrison will have a breakout season, making All-Pro Second-team and his first trip to the Pro Bowl as a starter on the AFC squad, but it will ultimately pay off.

Harrison played well against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2011, on Monday Night Football. He piled up 9 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 sacks, 3 major fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception. Harrison's celebration of Baltimore safety Ed Reed was perhaps the game's most memorable moment, however. Reed had recovered the kick and was hoping to return it after a Daniel Sepulveda punt. Harrison was blindsided by Reed as he crept up the sidelines, and the ball was knocked away from Reed's grasp. Lawrence Timmons, a Pittsburgh linebacker, recovered the ball quickly. The Steelers will crush the Ravens 38–7.

An announcer gave Harrison the nickname "Mr. Monday Night" during a Monday Night Football game on November 26, owing to his outstanding appearance on November 5. He had 8.5 sacks, 7 forcible fumbles, 3 recovered fumbles, and 98 tackles on the year. He was named team MVP for the 2007 season.

Harrison had 10 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble during the Steelers' Week 4 Football match against the Baltimore Ravens.

Harrison and Woodley were arguably the best pass-rushing pair since Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene in 1994, with LaMarr Woodley, who by this point had been a starter in his own right, after the team refused not to re-sign Clark Haggans in the previous offseason. Harrison has been fired in 16 cases, breaking the team record set by Mike Merriweather in 1984. With 27.5 sacks, the two teammates tied for the most sacks on a team team.

Harrison also played on a regular basis, making him one of the few regular NFL starters to play special teams as well. His most notable special teams play for 2008, but the Steelers' game against the New York Giants in Week 8 was certainly costly for the Steelers. Harrison was the first snapper for the Steelers in the fourth quarter, leading 14-12 and having to punt from their own end zone. Harrison threw it over Mitch Berger's head for a shield, tying the score.

Harrison was named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 2008 season on January 5, 2009, beating out Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware for the honor. Harrison was the first undrafted participant to win the award.

Harrison intercepted a pass from Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner at the goal line and ran back the length of the field for a 100-yard touchdown at the end of the first half during Super Bowl XLIII. Harrison collapsed in the endzone and spent several minutes recovering his breath as his teammates cheered. It was the longest play in Super Bowl history (surpassing Desmond Howard's 99-yard kickoff return in Super Bowl XXI, which was broken by Jacoby Jones in 2013 with a 108-yard kickoff return) and helped the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23. It was also the longest interception return in the Steelers franchise's history, topping Martin "Butch" Kottler's 99-yard return in the club's second ever game and setting a new club record.

Harrison was named the 2008 Morning Quarterback Non-RB NFL MVP by Gregg Easterbrook (author of Page 2 on ESPN.com) ahead of the game. Harrison said he had never heard of the award even before. Harrison was chosen by Easterbrook to his All-Unwanted All-Pros for the first time in his career, three by the Steelers.

On Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update by cast member Kenan Thompson, Harrison was parodied on February 7, 2009. Here Thompson depicts Harrison as being both out of breath and exhaust after his 100-yard interception return in the Super Bowl the week before.

Harrison had signed a six-year, $51.75 million contract extension with the Steelers on April 13, 2009. Harrison had 7.0 sacks, 25 tackles, two fumbles, and a fumble revival in four games in October. For October, he was named AFC defensive player of the month. Harrison finished the season with 79 tackles, 60 of them being solo, and 10 sacks. This outstanding play made him a starter in the Pro Bowl for the first time this year. Heath Miller, LaMarr Woodley, and Casey Hampton all were named Pro Bowlers, but Harrison was the only starter from his team.

Harrison's 2010 season was marred by numerous calls and fouls. He was suspended for the hits that were deemed illegal by referees and the NFL. Harrison was suspended for flipping Vince Young of the Titans in Week 2. Mohammed Massaquoi and his former college buddy, Josh Cribbs, were knocked out on October 17 by the Browns wide receivers; Mohammed Massaquoi. Drew Brees came from behind late on Halloween against the Saints. Jason Campbell, the Raiders' second quarterback, hit another QB. At Buffalo this week, Ryan Fitzpatrick had thrown a complete pass to David Nelson, Harrison came out of the line and speared Fitzpatrick. Harrison was fined $120,000 in total.

Harrison made 100 tackles, 70 solo tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and six foreman.

For the third time in six years, Harrison will help the Steelers win the Super Bowl. Harrison got a sack on Aaron Rodgers in Super Bowl XLV, but the Green Bay Packers defeated him 31-25.

In 2011, Harrison had 59 tackles and nine sacks in 11 games. He had six sacks and 70 tackles in 2012, the first year.

The Steelers suspended Harrison due to a wage cut on March 9, 2013.

Harrison joined the Cincinnati Bengals on April 23, 2013. In limited playing time, he had 30 total tackles (16 solo), 2 sacks, and an interception. He was released by the Bengals on March 13, 2014.

Harrison announced his resignation on August 30, 2014 and officially retired as a Pittsburgh Steeler fan on September 5, 2014. After Mike Tomlin said in a press conference that there were major injuries sustained by members of the Steelers defense, Harrison was expected to return to the league on September 23, 2014. Harrison would return to the Steelers, according to a note sent by the Steelers on their Twitter page.

Harrison officially signed with the Steelers on September 23, 2014. In 11 games, he had 45 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

Harrison signed a two-year deal with Pittsburgh on March 22, 2015, worth $2.65 million and a $500k signing bonus.

Harrison announced on February 17, 2016 that he would return for his 14th season with the team.

During a 24–9 victory over the Cleveland Browns on November 20, 2016, Harrison overcame Jason Gildon to become the Steelers' all-time sack leader with 77.5. In a 30–12 AFC Wildcard victory over the Miami Dolphins on January 8, 2017, he had ten combined tackles, sacked Matt Moore 112 times, and forced a fumble.

Harrison announced on March 1, 2017 that he had signed a two-year deal with the Steelers. Harrison appeared in just 29 snaps in the first 12 games of the 2017 season, with 15 of them coming against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6. Harrison played 11 snaps against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 due to injuries to Ryan Shazier and Tyler Matakevich's move from outside to inside linebacker position. Harrison was suspended by the Steelers on December 23, 2017 after only playing in five games and being a healthy scratch for the majority of the season.

Harrison signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots on December 26, 2017. Harrison's debut against the New York Jets featured two sacks, a forced fumble, and five total tackles. Harrison and the Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LII but the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Patriots 41–33.

Harrison announced his second retirement from football after 15 seasons on April 16, 2018, "I've missed way too much for way too long" I'm done," he said on Instagram.

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