James Harrison is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. He began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002, but was released and spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and NFL Europe before returning to the Steelers in 2004.
Harrison quickly established himself as a dominant force on the Steelers defense, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors multiple times throughout his career. He was known for his aggressive playing style and hard hits, which often resulted in fines and suspensions from the league.
One of Harrison's most memorable moments came in Super Bowl XLIII, when he intercepted a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and returned it for a touchdown, helping the Steelers win their sixth Super Bowl title.
In 2008, Harrison was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after recording 16 sacks and leading the league in forced fumbles. He also set a Super Bowl record with 3.5 sacks in Super Bowl XLIII.
Harrison played for the Steelers until 2013, when he was released and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played one season with the Bengals before returning to the Steelers for the 2014 season.
After the 2014 season, Harrison signed with the New England Patriots, but was released after just one month. He then returned to the Steelers for the remainder of the 2015 season and played for them until 2017, when he announced his retirement from the NFL.
Throughout his career, Harrison was known for his work ethic and dedication to fitness. He famously worked out at 4:00am every day during the offseason, and his intense training regimen was often cited as a reason for his longevity in the league.
Harrison finished his career with 84.5 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, and eight interceptions. He was named to the Steelers All-Time Team in 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
🏈