James Harrison signing symbolic slap in the face to Pittsburgh Steeler fans

Less than a week after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, James Harrison has signed with the New England Patriots.

James Harrison is as much a part of Steelers recent history and now he is a member of their AFC rivals, the New England Patriots. Harrison is notable for being Defensive Player of the year and a Super Bowl Champion as a member of the Steelers. He embodied the Steelers brand: grit, hard-work and made something out of nothing. James Harrison was an undrafted, free-agent out of Kent State. It was likely that the Steelers just took a flier on him, and what a flier that was. He was the star of many great Steeler defenses of the turn of the century. He played a key role as the outside linebacker and sack catalyst of those defenses.

Him ending up with the Patriots, some saw that coming. This started when the Steelers did not play Harrison that much during the season. He was left on the inactive list sometimes and played sparingly when he was in the lineup. A competitor like Harrison does not do well with sitting. He spends tons of money (upwards of $300,000 a year) and energy to be able to play at his age. Now we don’t know for sure if the Steelers were saving Harrison or if Harrison is just past his prime. He has flashed both good and bad in his short span of time.

In fairness to Harrison, it was disrespectful to cut him the way they did. In the middle of the season and when other players could have been cut was not how I imagined it ending with Harrison. But the Steelers chose to go with guys like Matt Feiler and Dan McCullers for line depth. The Steelers chose to go with TJ Watt and younger production over veteran experience.

However, you don’t have to be close to the team to see that the Patriots and the Steelers are rivals. Sure, the Patriots have had the upper hand in years past, but this year the Steelers were one overturned call away from beating them. Harrison could have walked away. He could have ended it better with the Steelers. He could have retired. But the competitor in Harrison wanted to win a championship and he has a chance to do that with New England.

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This move shows there is little loyalty in sports. However, maybe it is an opportunity to appreciate the way guys like Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu retired, honoring the Steelers tradition.