James Harrison has ended his career in the NFL. This was announced by the veteran on Monday on his Instragram Channel. Most recently, the linebacker played in Super Bowl LII for the New England Patriots.
“I missed this one far too much and far too long,” Harrison described an instagram post showing a collage of his children’s pictures. “… and now it’s over. I thank my family, my coaches, the fans and everyone who has played a role in my football career.”
It’s not the first time Harrison has announced the end of his career. Pretty sure, but for the last time. He wanted to give up his football shoes as early as 2014, but two weeks later he signed a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In the past season, Harrison became the third linebacker to play in the NFL at the age of 39, according to Pro Football Reference. Before him, it was just Junior Seau and Clay Matthews.
In 2017, Harrison only made 3 tackles in five games for the Steelers. Thereupon the franchise, of which he was part for over 13 years, dismissed him ingloriously.
The Patriots took Harrison in shortly afterwards and found a place for the veteran in their Super Bowl campaign. In Week 17 against the jets he recorded 5 tackles and 2 sacks as well as 8 more tackles on the way to the Super Bowl.
Harrison is a safe Hall of Famer. He was Pro Bowler five times and Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He won the Super Bowl with Pittsburgh twice. He spent the 2013 season with the Cincinnati Bengals.