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On Wednesday the bottom fell out of the James Harrison story. When the Pittsburgh Steelers players were available to the media after practice, players didn’t hold back when it came to telling their side of the story in this seemingly endless saga.
Throughout the day different members of the media took to social media to give fans some comments, quotes and insight on Harrison leaving the team. When all was said and done, it seemed as if the persona of ‘Deebo’ fans grew to love, was nothing more than a mirage.
Nothing will every take away the unbelievable plays Harrison made for the Steelers, but the way things are unfolding upon his departure certainly leaves a bad taste in fans’ mouths.
Rather than quote all of the news and information which has come out about Harrison’s departure, and what his now-former teammates think about, I felt it would be best to just leave a running list of social media posts telling fans what is going on inside the locker room.
A huge shoutout to the members of the media for sharing this information with the fans, and websites like BTSC.
Re: Harrison leaving when inactive
Teammates generally don't like when another teammate leaves a stadium on gameday b/c he's not dressing. According to another of Bud Dupree's teammates, that happened more than once w/ James Harrison this year. #Steelers https://t.co/qu5L1c5d9W
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 27, 2017
Bud Dupree going off on Harrison’s departure
“Nah, I’ma tell you. Tweet this out to him: Deebo got released because he made himself get released. Deebo didn’t get released because we just released him. Deebo did a lot of shit to get released.” —Bud Dupree https://t.co/K3m50CZROA
— Jacob Klinger (@Jacob_Klinger_) December 27, 2017
Maurkice Pouncey telling his side of the tale
#Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey just slammed James Harrison, saying he ruined his legacy in Pittsburgh by joining #Patriots. @937theFan pic.twitter.com/kpCeSHaMN4
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) December 27, 2017
More quotes and tidbits from the locker room:
Telling quote from @MarcusGilbert88 about James Harrison: "He was, at one point, a great teammate but when you look around, you say, 'was he really that great not to be there for his teammates?' I could never f*** over my teammates like that." @TheAthleticPIT
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 27, 2017
Me to Chickillo-"What was your relationship like with James (Harrison)?" Chickillo-"Um....he was a....player, um....we were in the same linebacker room for three years."
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 27, 2017
Me to Chickillo part 2--"Anything beyond that?"
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 27, 2017
Chickillo--"No."
Chickillo on Harrison to NE--"Is it hard to see him go?" (5 second pause). "It's hard to see him go there."
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) December 27, 2017
Bud Dupree: "I don't want the media to portray that we are the reason he left, the Steelers are the reason we left. That isn't the reason. He chose to leave." When asked if Harrison was a mentor (giggles and walks away from the interview shouting 'they asked if he was a mentor!')
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) December 27, 2017
As more information comes out, I will update the story, so be sure to check back for all the latest black-and-gold news.