Former Pittsburgh Steelers outsides linebacker James Harrison is retiring from the NFL a second time.
Harrison, who will turn 40 years of age in May, announced on Instagram Monday morning he is calling it a career a second time.
“I’ve missed way too much for way too long,” Harrison wrote. “I’m done. Many thanks to my family, coaches, the fans, and everyone who played a role in my football life.”
Harrison’s 2017 season ended this past February as a member of the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Harrison, however, was a member of the Steelers for the first 15 weeks of the season prior to him essentially forcing his release due to his unhappiness about his lack of playing time.
Following his release from the Steelers, Harrison signed with the Patriots and played one regular season game and all three playoff games for them.
Harrison has previously retired in 2014, but returned to the Steelers by Week 4 of that season. He set the Steelers franchise record for sacks in a 2016 game against the Cleveland Browns. He registered 80.5 regular season during his career in Pittsburgh and 84.5 in total.
Now that his NFL career is seemingly over for good, it will be interesting to see if Harrison is ultimately able to rebuild a relationship with the Steelers organization. He will always be remembered as a player who worked tirelessly off the field and not many fans of the Steelers will ever forget his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.
Harrison’s NFL career included two Super Bowl championships, five Pro Bowls, two All-Pro designations and one AP Defensive Player of the Year award.
.@jharrison9292‘s most iconic moment? @SuperBowl XLIII.
100-yard @Steelers pick-six.
Legendary. pic.twitter.com/4tc64JI1kY— NFL (@NFL) April 16, 2018
