Ex-Steelers, Patriots player retires after 15 seasons - 'I'm done'
Linebacker James Harrison, the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers great who signed with the New England Patriots in the middle of last season, announced his retirement Monday.
Harrison, who will turn 40 in May, called it quits via Instagram.
“I’ve missed way too much for way too long…and I’m done,” Harrison wrote. “Many thanks to my family, coaches, the fans, and everyone who played a role in my football life.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhoRWoKn4Il/?utm_source=ig_embed
Harrison had a potential Hall-of-Fame career with the Steelers, where he played for 14 seasons until the team cut him in December of last year. With the Steelers, Harrison recorded 80.5 sacks, made five Pro Bowls, and was named a First Team All-Pro twice. He also won two Super Bowls.
James Harrison's career grades since 2006. What a career! pic.twitter.com/l8bKWR6Jyg
— PFF (@PFF) April 16, 2018
In 2013, Harrison signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, but only played one year before announcing his first retirement. In September 2014, Harrison “unretired” and signed with the Steelers.
During his second stint in Pittsburgh, Harrison appeared in at least 11 games for three consecutive years. However, he received little playing time last season with the Steelers, and the team let him go in December.
After being cut, Harrison was signed by the Patriots, which upset some of his former teammates, as well as Steelers fans.
“He erased his own legacy here, let’s be serious,” Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey said. “It’s crazy. It blows my mind.”
But Harrison said he wasn’t about to sit on the sidelines and watch his career end.
“If anybody thought I signed a two year contract with a team in the NFL at age 39 to sit on the bench and collect a check and a participation trophy, they’re mistaken,” Harrison said. “I didn’t sign up to sit on the bench and be a cheerleader. I was clear about that when I signed and I was told I would be on the field when I signed.”
https://twitter.com/Steel_Curtain4/status/985862963595800576
Harrison played in just one regular season game for the Patriots and recorded two sacks. He finished his career with 84.5 sacks, good for 52nd all time.
With seven tackles in three games, Harrison played a key role in the Patriots’ 2017-18 playoff run, which ended in a 41-33 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Before the Super Bowl, Harrison had indicated that he might play for another year or two.
However, he also told ESPN recently that he promised his son he would retire in the “near future.”
“I told my son (James III) he could play contact football when I stop, so I’m going to have to give it up in the near future, so he can start getting adjusted to playing. I don’t want him to wait too long,” Harrison said.
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