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Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey said there’s one person to blame for James Harrison’s departure from the club: James Harrison.
“He wanted that,” Pouncey told reporters on Wednesday. “It wasn't like the team said, 'We are going to let go James Harrison.' James Harrison wanted out. It's funny to read the stories. It's something he wanted to do. It's not like they got together and said, 'Ah, we are going to go cut James.' That's not what happened. He has to come out and admit that."
Harrison, the Steelers’ career sacks leader, was released by the Steelers last weekend. Harrison signed with the New England Patriots on Tuesday.
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Harrison, 39, has seen a reduced role this season and has been active in just five games. His spot on the roster was filled by offensive lineman Marcus Gilbert, who is coming off a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Pouncey said Harrison’s departure to the Patriots, a team the Steelers could face in the AFC title game, won’t be a distraction. Still, Pouncey was more than willing to set the record straight, at least from his vantage point.
"This team is so mature,” he said. “When you deal with small stuff like that, it's nothing. If he didn't want to be here, come out and say it. Don't make it look like it's the team, the organization's fault. The organization wanted to get rid of James Harrison? Come on now.
"If I wanted out, I wouldn't let the team take the blame for it."
