James Harrison Biography

James Henry Harrison Jr. was born on May 4, 1978, and played as a linebacker in the National Football League. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002 after playing college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes. Harrison earned five Pro Bowl selections and won two Super Bowls with the Steelers, including victories in XL and XLIII. In 2008, he became the first undrafted player to receive the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. After announcing his retirement following the 2013 season, he returned to the Steelers and later played part of his final NFL season with the New England Patriots. Harrison was among the first African-Americans to play football at Coventry, contributing to the sport's diversity in that region. After missing his freshman year in 1998 due to NCAA academic requirements, he started in the final three games of the 1999 season, recording 106 total tackles and 13 tackles for a loss.