James Harrison (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=James Harrison
currentteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
currentnumber=92
currentpositionplain=Linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1978|5|4
birthplace=Akron, Ohio
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=242
debutyear=2002
debutteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XL)
* AFC Def. Player of the Month (11/07)
* Pro Bowl selection (2007)
* All-Pro selection (2007)
* 2007 Steelers MVP
college=Kent State
undraftedyear=2002
pastteams=
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2002-present)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=239
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=19.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=2
nfl=HAR600985

James Harrison, Jr. (born May 4, 1978, in Akron, Ohio) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Kent State.

College career

Harrison played college football at Kent State where he majored in general studies. On the final game of James Harrison's college football career he recorded 5 sacks on his future teammate quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Professional career

Harrison was an undrafted free agent from Kent State University, despite an impressive showing at the NFL combine putting up an amazing 475 lb max bench, which was a record for all rookie linebackers. Harrison spent two years on and off the practice squad. He was signed as a backup in the 2004 season. Harrison was resigned in the 2006 offseason to a four year deal with the Steelers, despite not becoming a free agent until 2008.

Harrison started in three games last year when starting linebacker Clark Haggans was injured. His biggest highlight of the year was in a game against the San Diego Chargers, where he intercepted a Drew Brees pass for a 25 yard return. During the return, he made a huge leap over Ladainian Tomlinson, the Chargers star running back.

Harrison gained some attention and popularity when he bodyslammed a Cleveland Browns fan in a 41-0 Pittsburgh win. The fan charged the field, Harrison grabbed the intoxicated fan as he approached his teammates and took the man to the ground. Harrison restrained the fan until authorities took him away. [http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/s_407370.html]

On November 5, 2007, Harrison had a standout game on "Monday Night Football" against the Baltimore Ravens. He piled up 9 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception. [http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gid=20071105023]

Harrison's nickname given to him by his teammates is, "Silverback". On November 26th, 2007, during a Monday Night Football game, an announcer gave Harrison the nickname, "Mr. Monday Night", because of his outstanding performance on November 5th. He was voted team MVP for the 2007 season. Revealed by journalist Jim Wexell, Harrison's teammates also call him "Deebo" from the "Friday" movies. [http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2008/9/6/608579/before-we-get-this-party-s]

Harrison is also known as the Steelers' team gym rat. When asked about his weight-lifting abilities on a recent airing of the Hines Ward Show on Pittsburgh local station KDKA, he replied that can bench 465 pounds and squat 700 pounds.

2008

In March, 2008, Harrison was arrested and charged with simple assault and criminal mischief stemming from a domestic altercation with his girlfriend. [http://www.wpxi.com/sports/15544164/detail.html?rss=burg&psp=news] On April 3, 2008 the district attorney dropped all charges because Harrison had completed anger management counseling and psychological counseling. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08094/870237-66.stm]

On the Steelers week 4 Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Harrison lived up to his name "Mr. Monday Night" by landing 3.5 sacks, 1 interception, and a forced fumble on the night. That fumble was recovered for a touchdown. [http://www.nfl.com/players/jamesharrison/gamelogs?id=HAR600985]

External links

* [http://news.steelers.com/team/player/49231/ Pittsburgh Steelers bio]