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SPORTSSaturday 30 December 2017
Harrison, now a Patriot, done discussing Steelers exit
By KYLE HIGHTOWER whenever they ask,” Harri- lowing practice Friday. ask about the Steelers, Har- asking for them.
AP Sports Writer son said. Asked about the post or rison ended the interview. “I know what my body
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Earlier this week several what his former teammates “No Jets questions, huh? needs in order to be in
— James Harrison is happy Steelers voiced displeasure shape to compete and I
to be with Patriots. He’s with the circumstances sur- New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison runs through a said so. But still zero reps,”
done talking about his de- rounding his exit, with a drill during an NFL football team practice Wednesday, Dec. 27, he wrote.
parture from the Steelers. few noting the decision to 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. Whatever the reason, Har-
The 39-year-old linebacker leave was hastened by him rison’s playing time was cut
would not say what fac- and not the team. Associated Press dramatically this season.
tored into his decision to “He erased himself; he The Steelers’ all-time sack
leave and would not ad- erased his own legacy said, Harrison brushed it All right, see you later,” he leader with 80 1/2 in 14
dress the critical comments here. Let’s be serious,” aside with a quick “Next said. seasons in Pittsburgh, Har-
by some former team- Steelers center Maurkice question.” In the Instagram post, Har- rison appeared in just five
mates since his release by Pouncey said Wednesday. After about two minutes rison said Pittsburgh coach- games and played a total
Pittsburgh last week. “It’s crazy. He wanted that. that included a few more es denied him reps during of 38 snaps this season. He
“I like to compete,” he said It wasn’t like the team said, attempts by reporters to training camp despite him had only one sack.
Friday. ‘We want to let go of James Though he acknowledged
“That’s my main reason Harrison.’ James Harrison it’s been “a little bit” over-
to go out and play the wanted that.” whelming trying to learn
game.” In a long post on Instagram the Patriots’ playbook in a
Harrison said he didn’t re- before practice Friday, handful of days, he’s ready
ceive any other offers af- Harrison wrote: “If anybody to play.
ter he was released, and thought I signed a two-year “I’m going to go out when-
he’s ready to contribute as deal with a team in the ever Coach (Bill) Belichick
needed with the Patriots. NFL at age 39 to sit on the puts me out there,” Harrison
New England hosts the Jets bench and collect a check said.
on Sunday, needing a win and a participation trophy, He already has at least one
or Steelers loss to clinch they’re mistaken. I didn’t fan in New England.
home-field advantage sign up to sit on the bench “I told him I liked him much
throughout the AFC play- and be a cheerleader.” better in our color jerseys,”
offs. He was in no mood to dis- quarterback Tom Brady
“I’m going to go out there cuss the matter further fol- said.q
