Steelers' Polarizing Legend James Harrison Accused Of Taking Steroids By Former NFL Players

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been known to be a physical organization, especially during the 2000s. They struck fear in offenses all over the league, and the NFL introduced a safety initiative mainly to combat the physicality of the Steelers defenses. Guys like Ryan Clark would fly around and try to take the ball carrier's head off, and James Harrison forced many players to be taken off the field on stretchers.

Steelers' James Harrison Accused Of Taking Steroids

Harrison was one of the hardest hitters the NFL has ever seen, while also being one of the best defensive players in the league. He won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2008, and was twice named a First Team All-Pro, and was also a Second Team All-Pro two times. He is most known for his pick six in Super Bowl XLIII, where he intercepted Kurt Warner and stumbled down the sideline for a 100-yard touchdown. 

Harrison has always been physically daunting, and seems to have a motor that never stops. He was always intense while he was on the field, which of course have led to many speculating whether or not Harrison has ever taken steroids. Harrison has never tested positive for steroids, nor has he ever been in any trouble for steroids. However, former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan believe the Steelers legend took steroids during his playing days, as they said on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast when they were asked which players take the controversial medicine.

"Who's that black guy that lives in Arizona that used to play for the Steelers? James Harrison bro, that guy is just a rolling ball of butcher knives."

Lewan, Compton, and the two hosts of the podcast, Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney go on to talk about how insane the videos Harrison posts of himself working out are. From him squatting six plates, to the videos of him throwing a heavy medicine ball across a volleyball court, the hosts then ask if the former players definitely thought Harrison was on steroids. Lewan shied away from making any accusations, but Compton spoke up.

"I think so."

If someone were to just look at Harrison, it's understandable to think he may be on steroids. However, the insane videos of him working out show that the way he acts is just his mindset. He won't be outworked by anyone, even during his retirement. He was one of the hardest working players in the league when he played, and that is why he found so much success. Not because he used any performance enhancers.

Lewan accusing anyone of being on steroids is a strange thing to do, especially considering the fact that he was suspended four games for using performance enhancing drugs back at the beginning of the 2019 NFL season. He has since said that the PEDs got into his system "accidentally."

Harrison retired from the NFL following the 2017 season after playing his last games with the New England Patriots. He was released from the Steelers halfway through the season before. Despite Harrison's relationship with the Steelers being rocky at times, he is a Pittsburgh legend who had three separate stints with the Steelers. 

Harrison ended his career with a strong Hall of Fame resume, as he finished with several All-Pro bids, five Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl victories, and his Defensive Player of the Year Award. Despite Harrison's long list of accomplishments at the professional level, he was not named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the class of 2024, which was the second year that has occurred. Harrison has publicly stated he doesn't think he belongs in the Hall of Fame, but many Steelers fans would disagree with that statement. 

Harrison never did steroids during his career, but his explosive play and tremendous hard work led his peers to believe he did. What do you think of him being accused of taking steroids?