James Harrison: Roger Goodell Is A 'Devil' & 'Crook' [UPDATED]

UPDATE: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, James Harrison has claimed that the Men's Journal writer "twisted" his comments.

EARLIER:

NEW YORK — Heavily fined Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison calls NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a "crook" and a "devil," among other insults, in a magazine article.

The 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year hasn't been shy about ripping the league after he was docked $100,000 for illegal hits last season. In the August issue of Men's Journal, his rants against Goodell reach another level of wrath.

"If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn't do it," Harrison told the magazine. "I hate him and will never respect him."

His other descriptions of the commissioner include an anti-gay slur, "stupid," "puppet" and "dictator."

If the Steelers had defeated the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl, Harrison said, he would have whispered in Goodell's ear during the trophy ceremony: "Why don't you quit and do something else, like start your own league in flag football?"

Harrison also criticizes other NFL execs, Patriots-turned-commentators Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi ("clowns"), Houston's Brian Cushing ("juiced out of his mind") – and even teammates Rashard Mendenhall and Ben Roethlisberger for their performances in the Super Bowl loss.

Harrison calls the running back a "fumble machine" for his fourth-quarter turnover. Mendenhall said on Twitter on Wednesday he didn't have a problem with what Harrison said "because I know him." But he also included a link to his stats from last season, which show he didn't have a pattern of fumbling.

Of the quarterback's two interceptions, Harrison says: "Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again. Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain't that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does."

Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement that he hadn't seen the article or talked to Harrison.

"We will discuss the situation at the appropriate time, when permitted once the labor situation is resolved," he said.

Harrison also questions whether a black player is punished more for a hard hit on a white player than the opposite. Beyond the insults, Harrison makes some serious points about what he believes are the league's misguided attempts to increase safety.

He explains how non-guaranteed contracts make players more likely to hit high, because in the short term, a torn knee ligament is more costly than a concussion.

Harrison suggests the real way to prevent head injuries is to shorten the season to 14 games, start offseason workouts later and trim the length of training camp so "we're not bangin' heads so much in August; that's where the brain trauma comes from."

Comments

[tqcobb]

05:23 PM on 07/14/2011

I'm not a Harrison fan BUT there's truth in a lot of what he said

[Six Gator]

02:13 PM on 07/14/2011

head trauma happens in August!....OOohhh, that's right!...just eliminate August!
Pittsburgh has made a decent living by sending off "a" hole players, and still maintaining a solid team. This id-e-ott wants to be traded! -- He knows how to go about it!

[Valois]

01:29 PM on 07/14/2011

cut him. That would be a just punishment. Ban him from the league.

[blessyourlittleheart]

01:00 PM on 07/14/2011

I'd like more info on this slur. Seems HP is having trouble deciding which of its favorite groups to favor in this one.

[Tone67]

12:41 PM on 07/14/2011

As a Steeler fan i think its time for james to go, he did NOT show up in the last superbowl so for him to criticize anyone for their superbowl performance it highly hypocritical and about as stupid for his reason for not going to the white house a few years ago when they won the superbowl.

[Six Gator]

02:13 PM on 07/14/2011

blowhards dont worry about being hypocrites!....

[Cimms]

12:32 PM on 07/14/2011

I agree with everthing he said.

[WakeUpHadEnough]

12:23 PM on 07/14/2011

You don't call out your teammates in public. There's a good chance that, unless he walks these statements back, he will be traded...maybe that's what he wants. The Rooney's have done it before and they will do it with Harrison.

[Travian77]

11:53 AM on 07/14/2011

I have a major problem with what he said about his teammates. Stuff like that should only be said behind closed doors face to face. I have no problem with what he said about Goodell. He owes a man, that has done nothing but take money out of players pockets absolutely nothing. If my boss "locks me out" tomorrow and takes away my paycheck and families health benefits months after the company has received record profits I'll say what I want about him. Sorry.

[farmilyman]

11:27 AM on 07/14/2011

So they want to shorten the season and get paid more. Maybe I'll try the same approach with my boss. I want more days off and more pay.

[Six Gator]

02:14 PM on 07/14/2011

that'll get you those extra days off you want, I'm betting! Long live the unions, huh?...

[farmilyman]

03:11 PM on 07/14/2011

If you like a 40hr work week and 8hr work days and benefits thank your local union.

[Spartan112]

10:51 AM on 07/14/2011

Not a Steelers fan so I have no dog in this fight, but calling out your teammates like that doesn't really help anything. Couple that with the fact that he didn't exactly have a great SB either...

[Six Gator]

04:23 PM on 07/14/2011

yeah, clever tactic huh!?.....he's an id-ee-uyt. Porter pulled similar shat, and they got along fine w/o him!....ship the fool out!

[cookerman45]

01:12 AM on 07/15/2011

ship him ta Florida or Michigan state .....he will fit right in.

[cookerman45]

01:13 AM on 07/15/2011

spartys don't have ANY dog.....just a couple of cats.

[Spartan112]

07:31 AM on 07/15/2011

It took you over 12 hours to come up with that...nice.

[liberalhammer]

07:14 AM on 07/14/2011

Just James being James. For a guy who was cut from the ravens he turned out to be a very good LB. Just another in a long line of great Steeler linebackers who on paper should be in the league, but by playing for the greatest sport organization ever thrive and flourish. He was defensive player of the week 2 or 3 times last year, he essentially held by the opposition every snap he is on the field and yet still he dominates. They don't call him 'Silverback' because he bakes cookies and makes everybody feel good about themselves.

[cphill]

02:22 AM on 07/14/2011

As a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, I am ashamed of Harrison. You don't call out team mates like that. Maybe they didn't have the greatest Super Bowl game, but you only had ONE tackle yourself. Dan Rooney and company need to read this guy the riot act when - and if - this strike is settled. Also, look for this guy to get a substantial fine by the league.

[cfswift1]

08:53 AM on 07/14/2011

Strike? Are you kidding? What strike? IYou don't even have to basic facts correct about the NFL Labor situation...It's a lock-out! By greedy owners. If Goodell tries to fie him Harrison should and will sue and he will win. The only reason the Commissioner has any power is because of the CBA....No CBA no power to enforce anything. Players are not currently being paid. I hate the Steelers...I was a raised a Dallas Cowboy but I gree with 99% of wht has been reported Harrison saying. Goodell can go $&^$ himself!

[Six Gator]

03:49 PM on 07/14/2011

Players are acting like babies...if they have the upper hand, all would just fine, right?...

[Mr Nightlinger]

01:45 AM on 07/14/2011

James Harrison? Isn't he the youngest Beatle?

[PalaceOfWisdom]

01:09 PM on 07/14/2011

Yes. He wrote All You Need Is Love.

[cookerman45]

01:14 AM on 07/15/2011

no he is an Author.

[Mr Nightlinger]

01:41 AM on 07/14/2011

I think some of these guys must be jucing 'roids to the max right now, since they cannot be tested while locked out...look for more strange occurrences in the near future. Goodall should advocate testing all the players upon their return.

Meanwhile, I don't blame Harrison for being frustrated.

Remember, this was not a player's strike--it is an owner's lockout. The owners do not want to open their billionaire books to negotiate with the players, who were certainly wanting to work/play. The owners are going to have to pay all of the existing contracts. The players are locked out from coming to work.

[Six Gator]

03:11 PM on 07/14/2011

Would you open YOU financial records for everyone at you job, and everyone in your neighborhood to see?...and your kids school, and every competitor you deal with in your line of work?....no, you wouldn't.
If this was/is such a gravy train, then two things should be demanded....salaries lowered, and ticket prices rolled back. But as fans, most think this is just ownership pushing the limits. wrong!
If anything, both sides are guilty here...Players want safety, the commish gives them some and the defenvie guys hate the choice....Immature babies calling names via the media, is weak!!
Harrison b*tch*ng about fines and calling names isn't frustration; its him being an "a"hole...little else.

[Mr Nightlinger]

09:18 PM on 07/14/2011

If I were in a management position, negotiating with the skilled labor union that made me a billionaire, and I was crying poor, asking for more services for less pay...YES, I WOULD OPEN MY BOOKS AND NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH.

Nobody forces the Billionaire NFL owners to negotiate or sign contracts with the NFL Players Union...they do so because they know they are dealing with the greatest athletes in the world and that those same athletes will continue to make them richer and richer.

I can never understand why anyone takes the sides of the billionaires. Are you a billionaire? Is that why? Perhaps I have underestimated you. You want to keep more of the profits you make off of the concussions and broken knees and backs of the NFL workers you employ. They are well-paid, yes, but every single contract is a TWO-WAY AGREEMENT. Nobody forces an owner to pay the salaries that the players collect. They are paid that much because they are certainly worth it. Do you have any idea how much revenue Peyton Manning football games on TV generate? BILLIONS of dollars.

The owners do not open their books because they would only show record profit. The NFL is hotter than it ever has been...because of the greatness of the players.

And remember that the careers of the players are short-lived. Many are done after one or two seasons...or one or two hits.

[missinginminnesota]

11:27 PM on 07/13/2011

Poor guy. Even though I agree with his comments about non-guaranteed contracts and 14-game seasons, his personal attacks show that he has no social filters in place. He's in serious need of psychotherapy, including at least counseling and most likely medication.

[thatbrothasmoove6]

12:54 AM on 07/14/2011

Eh. He's got plenty of filters. What he doesn't have is a league to fine or otherwise discipline him for his comments and a lot of time on his hands given that there's no season to speak of. Think he wasn't saying all of this stuff in private before? Of course he was.

[cfswift1]

08:56 AM on 07/14/2011

Need psychotherapy? Why? He spoke his mind. He doesn't need anything. He said what 99% of the players were thining or saying in private.

[Mr Nightlinger]

01:45 AM on 07/14/2011

Right. And I am sure the Pittsburgh Steelers are hell bent on making the most feared player in the NFL more kind and gentle.

He is paid to be mean and agressive and to inflict injury by instinct, and that's what they want. That's what the fans want to see too--just like NASCAR loves car crashes.

Don't forget, he was fined $75,000 last season for making the same kinds of tackles he made the years before. I'd be frustrated too.

[Species5618]

08:29 AM on 07/14/2011

He, and many others, had been making.