Steelers Great James Harrison Gets Truly Emotional During His Hall Of Honor Speech

The Pittsburgh Steelers have perhaps the most storied organization in all of professional sports. They have been extremely successful in many decades, and have only had three head coaches since 1969. Those who are considered some of the biggest contributors to the organizations success are honored by being inducted into the Steelers' Hall of Honor. Recently, former linebacker James Harrison was inducted into the Hall of Honor for his career achievements as a Steeler.

Steelers' Harrison Brought To Tears During Hall Of Honor Speech

On the Saturday night before the Steelers Week 8 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team held its annual Hall of Honor dinner where new inductees are honored as they give speeches and catch up with old teammates. At this year's dinner, the inductees were Harrison, Aaron Smith, Gerry Mullins, and Ray Mansfield. They join the already impressive Hall of Honor which includes Terry Bradshaw, Rocky Bleier, Bill Cowher, Joe Greene, and many others.

Harrison gave a touching speech during his induction where he reflected on the legendary Steelers that came before him and set the standard. He spoke about the great Steel Curtain of the 1970s, and how they motivated Harrison and his teammates to be the best they could be. Harrison was eventually moved to tears during his speech, and it was made clear how much being a Steeler meant to him. 

"I just want to thank those guys for leading the way and setting that standard. You know, it motivated guys like me and other guys to work as hard as you could. You were just hoping that one day, people would say that James Harrison was a Pittsburgh Steeler. To stand up here, right now, in this moment, be at this podium, and be put into that group of guys, I don't have words right now to express how I feel."

This type of speech from Harrison shows the brotherhood that is the Steelers. Even long after their playing days, players from the past still have an impact on the current team donning the black and gold. It makes sense how much Head Coach Mike Tomlin talks about the standard when you have legendary former players like Harrison said to point to as an example of what it means to be a Steeler. 

The requirements to be inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor are that the player, coach, or contributor must be retired for three seasons, must have played for the Steelers for at least three seasons, and must possess noteworthy career highlights, records, and achievements. Harrison has publicly stated that he doesn't think he belongs in the Professional Football Hall Of Fame, but it is no question he deserves the honor of being inducted into the Steelers Hall Of Honor.  

Harrison clearly smashes all of the requirement for the Hall Of Honor. He retired in 2017 and played for the Steelers for 15 years, and clearly has enough career accomplishments. Up until recently, he owned the Steelers all-time sack record. TJ Watt broke the record during the Steelers' Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns. 

Harrison was also named the NFL's Defensive Player Of The Year back in 2008, and the same year the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII. This was Harrison's second Super Bowl victory with the Steelers. Harrison made one of the biggest plays in Super Bowl history at the end of the first half when he picked off Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 17-7 lead at halftime. 

Harrison is a two-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Second Team All-Pro, along with being a five time Pro Bowler. Those accomplishments paired with his two Super Bowl rings made it no question that he would one day find himself being inducted into the Steelers Hall Of Honor, and now that it has happened, Harrison can consider himself one of the most impactful Steelers of all-time.