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When James Harrison left the Pittsburgh Steelers and jettisoned to the New England Patriots, it stuck a knife into the heart of the Pittsburgh fan base. Watching Harrison advance to the Super Bowl was also difficult, but most probably thought Harrison was going to walk off into the sunset after the Super Bowl.
Think again.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Harrison wants to continue his career, even after the Super Bowl.
“I maybe want to play a year at 40, maybe 41,” he said.
“But at some point in time, I’m going to have to stop [playing],” he said, explaining why it’s probably two years maximum. “I told my son [James III] he could play contact football when I stop, so I’m going to have to give it up in the near future, so he can start getting adjusted to playing. I don’t want him to wait too long.
”He’s already 10, and then he’ll be playing against kids who have been doing it for 4 or 5 years, contact football, and they’ll know how to take a hit and give a hit. To have a kid come into high school, or even be 14, 15 years old and have been playing since they were 10, that puts him at a disadvantage, especially just safety-wise.”
If Harrison would play two more years, he would be playing until he is 41 years-old. Unthinkable for an NFL outside linebacker, but if anyone has proven to defy Father Time, it is Harrison.
Harrison wanting to continue his career is no surprise, but where he plays after this year certainly will be something to watch. He could stay in New England, or he could try and start over with another NFL team.
Needless to say, I think the bridge between Harrison and the Steelers has been engulfed in flames. So, don’t expect Harrison to come back to Pittsburgh like he did after leaving the Cincinnati Bengals.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on this story, and others, surrounding the black-and-gold.