James Harrison was one of the most feared defensive players in the NFL back in his prime and while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he delivered countless crushing blows. One time, Harrison was fined $75,000 for one of his hits and it became a precedent for what was about to come in terms of the league cracking down on big hits. 

During a recent interview, Harrison admitted that the Steelers thought the fine was stupid and ended up giving him the $75K so that he could pay off the fine without having to dip into his salary. NFL fans began to go bonkers upon hearing this, likening the situation to Saint’s infamous “Bountygate” scandal. Harrison ended up getting wind of this criticism and took to Instagram to give his unfiltered thoughts.

Per Harrison:

“Wow y’all really comparing what I said to BOUNTYGATE?!? Mike T. Has NEVER paid me for hurting someone or TRYING to hurt someone or put a bounty on ANYBODY! If you knew the full story of what happened back then you’d know that BS fine for a Legal Play wasn’t even penalized during the game. The league was getting pressure because the first concussion lawsuits were starting and they had to look like they cared about player safety all of a sudden. Before that they had been SELLING a photo of THAT SAME PLAY FOR $55 on the NFL website with other videos of the NFL’S GREATEST HITS that the league Profited On back then. When the league had to start pretending like they cared about player safety they took all those things down off their website and they started fining guys ridiculous amounts for the same plays they used to profit off of. EVERYBODY knew it – even these same media people and all the fans that were sending money to me and the team to cover the fine. AGAIN AT NO TIME did Mike T. EVER suggest anybody hurt anybody or that they’d be rewarded for anything like that. GTFOH with that BS!!!”

Harrison seems pretty upset by the notion that the Steelers were operating a Bounty system and rightfully so. Those allegations are very serious and you can’t help but understand what Harrison is trying to say here. It appears to be nothing more than a team making up for an unjust decision by the league.

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke with reporters, Saturday, giving his take on the resumption of the NFL offseason.

Joe Sargent / Getty Images

Tomlin says the “day is coming” when in-person training can resume. “I prescribe to the approach of competitive fairness within our game, and that is everybody gets an opportunity,” Tomlin said in a conference call. “Our game is extremely competitive. It’s one of the things that make football at this level so attractive to our fans. I’m committed to preserving and protecting that, and so all teams getting an opportunity to start on the same footing is a core element of that.”

The league plans to enact phase 1 of a resumption on May 15. This would allow 50% of non-player staff, up to 75 people per day, to use team facilities. As for players, only those returning from injury will be allowed in.

In a memo from the NFL, obtained by ESPN, the league makes no mention of waiting for all 32 teams to be allowed to open before continuing with the reopening process.

“There’s a couple of things that we’re committed to adhering to, and that’s the global approach of the National Football League in regards to football ops and how important competitive fairness is in our game,” Tomlin said. “We all got to get started on the same footing in that regard. Then, also, respecting our local government and the guidelines they prescribe individually in terms of workplace safety.”

[Via] 

Antonio Brown was a perennial all-star for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the better part of a decade. Unfortunately, his relationship with the team took a strange turn as he demanded a trade and eventually left for the Oakland Raiders. Eventually, Brown was cut by the Raiders and picked up by the New England Patriots. He only lasted one game with the Pats and now, he is out of work. 

Recently, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was on ESPN First Take and he was asked by Stephen A. Smith about Brown's status with the team. Smith was curious as to whether or not the Steelers would ever consider a reunion with the star. While it's not totally off the table, it's certainly not something that's being heavily discussed.

Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph got into a pretty nasty altercation during a regular-season NFL game last year. Rudolph of the Pittsburgh Steelers tried to rip off Garrett’s helmet. This prompted the Cleveland Browns star to rush after Rudolph and smash him on the head with his own helmet. Garrett received a hefty punishment and recently, he was reinstated into the league. In an interview, Garrett alleged that Rudolph called him a racial slur and that’s what prompted his actions.

During an interview with First Take, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin went off on Garrett for making such allegations. As he explains, his quarterback never said such a thing and that the investigation that followed, proves this. Tomlin is one of the most respected coaches in the league and when he talks so frankly, people tend to listen.

“It was a thorough investigation done by us and the Nation Football League, I don’t think that was represented during that piece [that aired on ESPN],” Tomlin said. “These accusations are serious, not only in terms of Mason Rudolph’s character but his professional pursuits. Nobody on that field as a member of the Cleveland browns or Pittsburgh Steelers corroborated what was said by Myles Garrett. That was founded by us and the National Football League, and at no point during that piece this weekend that was stated.”

Needless to say, it doesn’t appear as though this saga is going to end anytime soon. For now, Rudolph is looking to take legal action against Garrett, which could prove to be a serious court battle. Stay tuned for updates on this situation as we will be sure to bring them to you.