Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison signed with the New England Patriots yesterday, just days after he was released by the Steelers in an effort to make room for right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who is returning from suspension.
After Harrison signed with the enemy, fans called out the organization for cutting him in the first place and therefore allowing him to sign with the team that they'll likely need to defeat in order to reach the Super Bowl.
However, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey says Harrison wanted out of Pittsburgh and he wants the veteran linebacker to admit that he wasn't just cut out of nowhere.
Speaking with reporters today, Pouncey said (H/T Post-Gazette),
“He erased himself,” Pouncey said Wednesday. “He erased his own legacy here. Let’s be serious. ... I would think so, as a fan. [It’s] crazy. It blows my mind.”
“He wanted that,” Pouncey said. “It wasn’t like the team said ‘We’re going to let go of James Harrison. James Harrison wanted that. ... Yeah, it’s funny to read the stories like, it’s something that he wanted to do, you know what I’m saying? It’s not like they got together and said, ‘Oh, we’re going to go cut James.’ No, that’s not what happened. And he needs to come out and admit that.”
Steelers linebacker Mike Mitchell also questioned Harrison's decision while speaking with reporters today, saying the move wasn't worth the $59,000 that Harrison reportedly signed for.
"I'm not going to assassinate his character, but I wouldn't have done it for $59,000," Mitchell said.
Check out the footage of Pouncey's comments below.