James Harrison gives realistic view of Hall of Fame chances; says Steelers Hall of Honor ‘good enough for me’
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Retired Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison is being realistic about his long-shot chances of getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But he also seems at peace with the likely outcome of being left off the induction list.
Harrison was among 10 former Steelers to recently be nominated for enshrinement in Canton. This is his second year of eligibility. But the two-time Super Bowl winner told TMZ this week that he doesn’t expect to get a call.
“I don’t believe that I am,” Harrison said when asked if he thought he was a Hall of Famer. “I believe I set a standard as a Steeler that I was able to hold up. As far as the Hall of Fame, a lot of things go into that. Numbers are one of those things. When you look at my numbers, for me, they don’t equate to what the number should be.”
Harrison ended his career with 84.5 sacks. If you are looking at guys who were primarily pass rushers/edge players, the cut line seems to be around 100 sacks to gain entry into the Hall of Fame (Andre Tippett at 100, Charles Haley at 100.5). Some players like Clyde Simmons (121.5), Sean Jones (113) and Patrick Swilling (107.5) haven’t gained entry.
Granted, Harrison did more than just rush the passer. He made five Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams and won a pair of championships. Plus, he authored one of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history and was the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Yet Harrison thinks being a starter in the league for only six years will hold him back.
“They’ll say, ‘Well, you know, you only started six years.’ I still got to play a long tenure, (but) they’re, like, ‘Yeah, but you only got to start six. If you would have had another six years starting, the numbers would have been different,’” Harrison said.
Indeed. They would’ve. But playing behind Joey Porter, Jason Gildon and Clark Haggans for the first four years of his career meant that Harrison didn’t start full-time until 2007, when he was 29 years old.
Other factors may work against Harrison, such as his often gruff interactions with the media who vote on Hall of Fame entry, his (eventually dropped) 2008 domestic violence charge and the manner in which he pouted his way out of Pittsburgh and onto New England’s roster in 2017.
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But if recognition in Canton never happens, Harrison won’t lose sleep over it.
“It would be pretty cool if it’s bestowed upon me,” Harrison added. “But, for me, my goal was never to play professional football. My goal was, once I got there, it wasn’t to be a Hall of Fame player. If that happened, great. My goal was to go in there and put what my dad gave me, which is my name, and make it representative. Make him proud. I know I did that. So that’s really all that matters to me.”
Harrison said his election to the Steelers Hall of Honor in August is recognition enough.
“To be put in a group of guys that are in that company right now, that Hall of Honor, you know, that’s a tremendous, tremendous honor. There’s legends, you know, (the) Steel Curtain, Joe Greene, guys like that. It’s great company,” Harrison said. “(If) I wouldn’t get into the Hall of Fame, I’m in the Steelers Hall of Fame. That’s good enough for me.”
Harrison says he’s looking forward to his induction at Acrisure Stadium on Oct. 29.
“I understand what it is. I don’t think it’ll really sink in until I’m actually sitting up there and giving my little acceptance speech, and I’ll have all my family and friends (there),” Harrison said.
Other Steelers who will be inducted that night on the North Shore include Gerry Mullins, Ray Mansfield, and Harrison’s former teammate Aaron Smith.