James Harrison announces retirement

James Harrison formalized the decision NFL teams had seemingly made for him and announced his retirement Saturday.

The 36-year-old Harrison, who was the league's defensive MVP in 2008 while with the Pittsburgh Steelers, revealed his decision with a post on Facebook.

"I have made the difficult decision to retire as of today. My love for my family and the need to be there for them outweighs my desire to play the game. I have missed too many experiences with them because I devoted SO much time to my career," Harrison wrote.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/08/30/james-harrison-retires-steelers-bengals/14861517/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatodaycomnfl-topstories

Thanks for all the memories, especially that 102 interception return for a TD in SB XLIII

Awesome player, wish he didn't bail at the end like he did. I don't like how is he saying family obligations are forcing him to retire...he JUST interviewed with the Cardinals and Russ told him to hang up the cleats, his time is over.

Just retire the way you played your NFL career, fearless.

I think with his back problems over the last 5 years, it was time for him to go. He wasn't going to be a starter, and maybe that would've helped him prolong his career for a season or two, but it was time.

However, I don't suspect he wouldn't consider coming out of retirement if a team needed his service mid-season. Especially a playoff contender.

I've got nothing but respect for Harrison. He wasn't a star with us long, but he shined brightly while he was here. I wish he had accepted less pay and remained a Steeler to finish his career, but I don't begrudge him trying to get a final payday at the end of his career. I have nothing but great memories of Harrison. The Super Bowl speaks for itself, but this is the one memory that will always stand out in my mind ...







Oh, and this ...





Oh, and this ...

I wish him the best in retirement. He did a lot for us while he was here and I always liked his style,even when it brought fines.

He was definitely a Steeler through and through. God speed.

^^This^^

He will always be a Steeler to me. I loved watching him play and the way he intimidated opponents.

I'll miss Deebo and never forget his history-making TD in the Super Bowl.

The guy was an absolute beast in the Black & Gold. I have so many memories of his play, I just wish he could have gone out a little bit more graceful.

He's not hanging up his cleats because he wants to spend more time with his family, he's doing it because he isn't willing to take something in the neighborhood of vet minimum to be a backup.

If he is serious about retirement, i.e. filing the papers with the NFL, I hope the Steelers can convince him to do a one-day contract and retire a Steeler. Because in my mind, he will ALWAYS be a Pittsburgh Steeler!

Tom_the_Torch wrote:

He's not hanging up his cleats because he wants to spend more time with his family, he's doing it because he isn't willing to take something in the neighborhood of vet minimum to be a backup.

I was thinking the same thing. Up until now, I've heard nothing but him wanting to return to the Steelers this season. There was some talk last week about him visiting the Cardinals, and I'm willing to bet there were talks with other teams as well. He probably couldn't find a deal he felt he deserved and decided to just hang it up. That's just my guess, of course.

Wallace108 wrote:

Tom_the_Torch wrote:

He's not hanging up his cleats because he wants to spend more time with his family, he's doing it because he isn't willing to take something in the neighborhood of vet minimum to be a backup.

I was thinking the same thing. Up until now, I've heard nothing but him wanting to return to the Steelers this season. There was some talk last week about him visiting the Cardinals, and I'm willing to bet there were talks with other teams as well. He probably couldn't find a deal he felt he deserved and decided to just hang it up. That's just my guess, of course.

Yep. That's exactly it. Otherwise, he'd be a Steeler for vet minimum (or around that) to be a backup/insurance policy for Jarvis Jones and Jason Worilds. I wouldn't have minded that at all. Shoot, Porter coaching him and Harrison being an extra coach on the roster would have been great for Jarvis Jones!