Smooth talking he's not.
Hard hitting he's always been.
Mr. Congeniality he'll never be.
Outrageously outspoken he's now become.
James Harrison's comments in the latest issue of Men's Journal magazine have quickly turned memories of his once-polished Pittsburgh Steelers career into a growing legacy of rust—not just in Steel Town, but across the NFL landscape.
Crass comments from the four-time Pro Bowler's mouth have brought embarrassment not only to himself and his teammates, but to a storied NFL franchise known league-wide for its class.
In his most recent reckless rant, Harrison fired vitriolic verbal assaults at:
• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, calling him a "crook," a "devil", a "puppet," a "dictator" and "stupid."
• Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, saying Big Ben is no Peyton Manning though he gets paid like him.
• Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall, labeling him a "fumble machine," though Mendenhall only coughed up the ball twice last season.
• Television analysts and former bitter NE Patriots rivals Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi, referring to them as "clowns."
• Once-suspended Houston Texan LB Brian Cushing, claiming he was "juiced out of his mind."
Harrison's attack wisely spared Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin, Steelers cheerleaders, Steelers fans, kids wearing his over-priced, NFL-licensed No. 92 jersey and most importantly Steelers president Art Rooney II.
The diatribe also excluded countless hard-working Americans who couldn't care less about the NFL Lockout and, in their wildest dreams, could never imagine signing anything in the income stratosphere of Harrison's six-year, $51 million contract with a $10 million up-front bonus.
So, what provoked the Steelers LB to launch such vicious, unrelenting remarks?
Perhaps, envy of some of his more celebrated Steelers teammates?
Probably, frustration over his eroding physical skills at age 33?
Likely, a less-than-stellar Super Bowl XLV performance with only one tackle?
Maybe, growing racial discontent stemming from his perception of how the NFL levies fines?
The oddly misguided belief that Goodell is inept and has actually targeted him when enacting new rules to insure better NFL player safety?
Sure, Harrison may not be an eloquent spokesperson or a smooth-talking protagonist. He needs to express himself better. Given his latest quotes in Men's Journal, Steelers' PR suits will be certain to more carefully craft his dialogue for all future public statements.
Yes, Harrison has always been a vicious hitter and the NFL has cautiously taken steps to curtail him and other NFL players from maiming, injuring and knocking out more players in the future.
Agreed, Harrison may not be the most personable and genteel Steelers player, as evidenced by his fiery on-field demeanor and his off-field tangle with the law in a 2008 domestic abuse case in which charges were ultimately dropped. However, Harrison is a proven winner with two Super Bowls to his credit.
Absolutely, the LB's outrageous outspoken commentary needs to end immediately. Harrison should be fined or suspended.
Whether Goodell opts to lower the boom again on Harrison or the Steelers organization elects to take the initiative and police one of its own, Harrison needs to be muzzled before he spews additional idiotic remarks.
The NFL Personal Conduct Policy is still in play and needs to be enforced—lockout or no lockout.
Harrison needs to be hit hard in his wallet. Yes, hammered harder than any steel girder in an old Pittsburgh mill and more forcefully than any hit the LB could possibly ever inflict on a football field.
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