James Harrison. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Former Steelers great says he doesn't belong in HOF

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was recently announced as a modern-era finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

The 45-year-old, however, doesn't think he quite makes the cut.

"As far as Hall of Fame, you know, it's a lot of things that goes into that," Harrison told TMZ Sports. "And I believe numbers is one of those things, you know? And when you look at my numbers, they just don't, for me, they don't equate to what the numbers should be."

Harrison signed with the Steelers in 2002 as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State and spent 14 of his 15 NFL seasons with the organization. The team recently announced that Harrison would be inducted into their Hall of Honor later this year.

"To be put in a group of guys that are in that company right now, that Hall of Honor, that's a tremendous, tremendous honor," he said."

After serving as a part-time player for his first few seasons, the Akron, Ohio, native's career took off in 2007. Harrison made all five of his Pro Bowls over five consecutive campaigns from 2007 to 2011 with Pittsburgh and won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008.

He was also named first-team All-Pro in 2008 and 2010 and helped lead the Steelers to a pair of Super Bowl victories in 2005 and 2008.

Harrison had one of the most famous plays in championship history during Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals.

With Kurt Warner and the Arizona offense driving deep into Pittsburgh territory and threatening to take the lead into halftime, Harrison instead picked off the quarterback and took the interception back 100 yards for a Steelers touchdown.

Given Harrison's relatively short run as a true elite defensive force, he may not end up getting enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he'll always be remembered by fans in Pittsburgh.

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