James Harrison's journey to becoming an NFL star was far from easy. Despite his impressive performances at Kent State, he was not selected in the 2002 draft. His height and weight, 6'0" and 240 lbs, respectively, were the main reasons why NFL scouts overlooked him. However, the Pittsburgh Steelers gave him a chance, but it was not an easy road for Harrison. He spent two years moving on and off the practice squad, playing for the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad and Rhine Fire in NFL Europe. Although he showed athletic promise, he struggled with confusion and giving up on plays during practice, which led some to label him a "head case."
Despite the challenges he faced, Harrison's luck turned around in 2004 when he finally made the Steelers' roster for good. He started as a special teamer and came off the bench before becoming the starting right outside linebacker in 2007. That year, he made the Pro Bowl, a testament to his hard work and dedication. However, that was only the beginning of Harrison's success story.
In 2008, Harrison had an incredible year, making a name for himself as one of the NFL's best linebackers. He was named First Team All-Pro, had a career-high 16 quarterback sacks, led the NFL in forced fumbles and approximate value, and won the prestigious Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also helped lead the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII, returning an interception for a touchdown that day. Harrison's success continued for the next three years, as he made the Pro Bowl multiple times and earned First Team All-Pro honors again.
Harrison's career took a turn when he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013 and retired shortly after. However, he later returned to Pittsburgh and played until he was released late in the 2017 season. He finished his career playing with the New England Patriots, helping them reach the Super Bowl.
Harrison retired with 84.5 quarterback sacks, an impressive feat for any player. Although he was an elite player for only five years and average or mediocre for the rest of his career, his achievements, including winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award, make him a Hall of Fame contender.
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