Is James Harrison serious? I have read some pretty dumb interviews in my life from professional athletes, politicians and other celebrities, but the latest comments Harrison gave during an interview with “Men’s Journal” are absurd. It is one thing to say that you don’t like NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, but to insinuate that he is a racist, a dictator and a crook is crossing the line. And as if that wasn’t enough Harrison goes on to reinforce his hatred of Goodell by stating “if that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn’t do it. I hate him and will never respect him.” Way to stay classy James. I get that your mad about the current lockout and the infinite amount of fines that you have had to pay throughout your career, but it probably wouldn’t kill you to think before you speak.
Now if Harrison’s criticisms (putting it lightly) toward Goodell weren’t enough, Harrison went on to bash other NFL players including two on his current team. Harrison had this to say about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, ” Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again. Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain’t that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does”. And then he goes on to talk about running back Rashard Mendenhall while referring to him as a “fumble machine” and insinuating that his mistake cost them a chance to win the Super Bowl last February.
I know that Harrison has never been the sharpest knife in the drawer. He is if you recall the genius who declined an invitation to go to the White House after the Steelers won the Super Bowl in 2009 because ” He [Obama] would have invited Arizona. [if they had won the game]”. Nothing gets past you does it James? And last year he was also the player who acted like a baby and said he was going to retire because the league only fines him. But now my biggest issue with Harrison’s most recent comments are that he took shots at his teammates. Before he just made himself look bad, but now he has hurt the Steelers organization and chemistry. How will this affect the Steelers locker room in 2011? These are current teammates that he has now bashed publicly and placed the blame on for losing last year’s Super Bowl and I really believe that the Steelers organization has to consider moving on from Harrison.
Harrison is a phenomenal football player; easily amongst the best defensive players in the game. But at what point does his bad character and loose tongue overshadow his abilities? He isn’t a young man (33 years old) anymore so he cant play the “immature card” as an excuse. Publicly attacking teammates, combined with his comments towards Goodel,l I think it will be very difficult for Steelers owner Art Rooney to justify paying Harrison twenty four million dollars over the next four years. The Steelers organization prides itself on their team first mentality and demands high moral character. They have proven this in the past by cutting players lose no matter how talented they are for behaviour deemed detrimental to the Steelers “code”. Last year for example they traded Santonio Holmes, one of the league’s best wide receivers, for a measly fifth round pick after he was suspended for marijuana possession.
I know many people will point out that the Steeler’s seemingly turned a blind eye to the Ben Roethlisberger fiasco last off season, but that isn’t accurate. Even though Roethlisberger was never charged for the alleged rape, Rooney made it very clear that if the league didn’t suspend the Steelers star quarterback then he would face punishment from his own franchise. Rumor even had it that they tried to move Big Ben for an early first round pick at the 2010 Draft. This is even after Roethlisberger admitted to his immaturity and vowed to change his off field image. Harrison may not be in trouble with the law, but he has some serious work to do to change his public perception.
Outside of his sack numbers the only consistency James Harrison has had over the last few years are his ludicrous comments. He continually makes statements that are detrimental to the Steelers organization. His latest remarks should be taken seriously (and I am sure they will) by owner Art Rooney, general manager Kevin Colbert, and head coach Mike Tomlin. Frankly put, Harrison comes across as a piece of garbage during the interview. If he doesn’t apologize soon the Steelers only choice might be to place this garbage on the side of the road for someone else to pick up; because if they don’t I can guarantee that he will continue to spew toxins throughout the Steelers locker room and embarrass this prestigious franchise.