During a Friday press conference that lasted less than seven minutes, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison formally announced his retirement from the NFL.
Harrison, who started off his press conference by promising that he wouldn’t be shedding any tears, said he was just happy to have the opportunity to come back and finish where it all started.
“I had some great times here,” said Harrison.
When asked what motivated him all throughout the early years of his career prior to him becoming a starter with the Steelers, Harrison said that he just wanted to prove people wrong.
“They said, ‘I couldn’t do this, I couldn’t do that,’ and I just wanted to go out there and prove them wrong,” said the former NFL Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Year. “Saying what I can’t do is something that motivates me.”
When asked what he believes is his greatest accomplishment, Harrison said that he believes it hasn’t happened yet.
“I’m hoping that I can raise two boys to become men,” he said.
Harrison plans to go hard and heavy into real estate investing now that he is retiring and that he would like to become a mini tycoon.
“I’m headed in the right direction,” said Harrison, who plans on focusing on apartments and student housing ventures.
Harrison agreed that his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown with time expiring in the first half of Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals will likely be the play he is most remembered for.
“Oh yeah, definitely,” said Harrison when asked about the play. “You’re on the big stage. The ultimate goal of playing NFL football is to win the Super Bowl and we came through. It wasn’t just me, there was ten other guys out there.”
Before ending his press conference, Harrison managed to take one final shot at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who he criticized heavily during his career.
Audio:
[audio:http://prod.video.steelers.clubs.nfl.com//PIT/videos/dct/video_audio/2014/09-September/09052014_JamesHarrisonPressConference-32k.mp3]
“I’d also like to thank Roger Goodell for being my biggest adversary,” Harrison said before walking away from the podium.
Coach Tomlin, Dan Rooney, @jharrison9292, Art Rooney II and Kevin Colbert pose after Harrison retires as a Steeler. pic.twitter.com/2DAQa50SV7
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) September 5, 2014
