By: Brandon Williams
Once again the NFL proves itself again as a business more so than a place where men can come together for the love of the great game we call football. Long time NFL veteran LB James Harrison has done the unthinkable, and has signed with the New England Patriots. The 16 year veteran who was recently signed with the Steelers, whom he has won two Super Bowls with, and is the all time franchise sack leader was cut by the team on Tuesday. However, his departure from the Steel city wasn’t so peaceful.
Harrison is already up in football age at 39, and is still able to play at a high level which is unheard of, because normally NFL teams tend to push old players out the door to make room for younger talent that have more longevity. But some of his former teammates had some choice words to say pertaining to his departure.
”He erased himself, he erased his own legacy” said Maurkice Pouncey .
Harrison saw the writing on the wall when the Steelers drafted rookie LB T.J. Watt out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This is the way that NFL teams operate. Once they feel like you have reached your peek and don’t have anymore gas left in the tank, they will be quick to show you the door.
However, Harrison is one of those crafty veterans that can still get it done, and takes care of his body to be able to play more than the amount of snaps guys his age normally don’t see. He’s proven to be durable and still has the desire to play, but I guess the Steelers had other plans.
It wasn’t easy for Harrison to sign with the Patriots for obvious reasons. The Patriots are the Steelers conference rival, and the Steelers were robbed off a win when the two teams faced each other on December 17th. The final score of the game was 27-24. The controversial call in that game was when the referees overturned what looked to be a touchdown catch by tight end Jesse James, and that brought up the debate ”what is a catch?”
Well now the Patriots have the biggest late season catch after signing Harrison. I understand that this is a business decision for Harrison, but the taste he left in the Steelers mouth’s and vice versa, will make for an interesting scenario if and when these two teams face off in the playoffs.
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