Ex-Steeler James Harrison responds to criticism in Instagram post

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Emily Sadler December 29, 2017, 12:30 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran linebacker James Harrison on Saturday, and it hasn’t exactly been a clean break.

The 39-year-old signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots shortly after clearing waivers, a move that sparked plenty of questions around the football world—not to mention, several comments from Harrison’s former teammates in Pittsburgh, including stories of the veteran’s disruptive locker room behaviour and unwillingness to help tutor younger teammates.

Dupree said Harrison would leave the stadium as soon as he found out he was inactive the past four or five weeks, often didn’t practice or attend meetings and rarely would come in the locker room. Said he wouldn’t visit Ryan Shazier in hospital, either.

— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) December 27, 2017

Among ways Harrison tried to get himself out of Pittsburgh, one team source said Harrison was known to sleep in a recliner chair during position meetings and snore loudly while Joey Porter would teach.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 28, 2017

Others have speculated that Harrison’s deal with the Patriots, who have been weak at outside linebacker and defensive end all season, is strictly for intel as the two clubs have been on an AFC title collision course all season.

Bill Belichick on James Harrison from PIT to NE: "We’re not talking about college, where players don’t change teams. This is professional football. It’s like that every year, it’s like that every week, it’s like that on every team. I don’t see it as some big historical event.”

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 29, 2017

Harrison spoke out on Friday to tell his side of the story via a four-part statement on Instagram, with the caption “This will be my only comment.” Click through for his full statement:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdSv_p4g_QV/

Harrison spent 14 seasons with Pittsburgh and holds the all-time franchise record for sacks with 80.5. He didn’t see much playing time this season, dressing for just five games as the Steelers turned to younger pass rushers in Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt. The decision to release Harrison was made in order to open up a roster spot for right tackle Marcus Gilbert as he returns from suspension.

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