A lot of times the longer a relationship lasts, the messier the break-up is. That rule could certainly apply to James Harrison following his exit from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harrison has been critical of his former long-time employer in the aftermath of his release from the Steelers. And at least one of his former teammates has been equally – maybe more – critical of the linebacker’s actions.
Though there was almost certainly some animosity between Harrison and the Steelers organization bubbling beneath the surface for a while, it started to become public when the longtime Steeler went on record to say he wasn’t happy being used as an “insurance policy.” Harrison signed a two-year deal with Pittsburgh prior to this season but evidently didn’t get what he signed up for, apparently.
Now, in the latest addition to the war of words between player and former team, current Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey inserted himself by emphasizing that Harrison’s exit has tainted his tenure with Pittsburgh.
When asked about the lasting impression of Harrison on the Steelers organization, Pouncey said:
“He erased himself, he erased his own legacy here. Let’s be serious. … I would think so, as a fan. [It’s] crazy. It blows my mind.”
Pouncey went on to say that Harrison asked for his release from the Steelers.
#Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey just slammed James Harrison, saying he ruined his legacy in Pittsburgh by joining #Patriots. @937theFan pic.twitter.com/kpCeSHaMN4
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 27, 2017
Harrison is the Steelers’ all-time leader in sacks and, until his release, has spent all but one of his 15-year career with Pittsburgh. (That one non-Steelers season was spent with in-division rival Cincinnati Bengals in 2013.)
It certainly didn’t do anything to endear Pittsburgh fans that the linebacker decided to sign with the Steelers’ primary competition to represent the AFC in this year’s Super Bowl, that being the New England Patriots.
