The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a ton of intimidators on the defensive side of the football throughout the history of the organization. The first names that come to mind for most is likely Joe Greene or James Harrison, but Joey Porter Sr. was also a force to be reckoned with during his time with the organization during the 2000s. Porter played for Pittsburgh from 1999 through 2006, and he was a crucial part of the defense that helped win Super Bowl XL.
AP
Former Steelers outside linebacker Joey Porter Sr. looks on before an away game.
Porter was a scary defender for the Steelers who was known for his physicality. He was named an All-Pro three times during his tenure with the Steelers, and was a critical member of the dominant defense the Steelers fielded during the 2000s. Porter was a trash talker, and former wide receiver Andre Johnson detailed a run in he had with Porter while he was playing with the Houston Texans on the most recent episode of The Pivot. The Texans were an expansion team that was introduced to the NFL in the 2002 season, so it took a while to get the franchise up and running successfully.
Johnson was drafted by the Texans in 2003, and he spoke about how they were the laughing stock of the league during his first several seasons in Houston. He spoke about how Porter was actively making fun of the team during one of their matchups.
"There wasn't nothing there when we first got there." Johnson said. "I remember people used to laugh at us. I remember Pittsburgh coming here. And Joey Porter was like, 'Y'all should be ashamed of y'all f**king self.' He was telling our o-line this. At the time, the year before I got here, they gave up the most sacks in the history of the NFL."
It takes a few years for an expansion team to become competitive. So the offensive line Porter was going up against was certainly less than average. The game Johnson was speaking of came during the 2005 season, and the Steelers won the contest quite easily by a score of 27-7. This was Houston's fourth season in the NFL, and the organization was still figuring things out.
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Steelers former linebacker Joey Porter Sr. hoists his sons after winning Super Bowl XL.
During the 2005 contest, Johnson caught four passes for just 20 yards. Porter had a sack and four tackles while playing the Texans. The Texans were not good during this time, as the organization finished the 2005 season with a record of 2-14, meanwhile the Steelers went 11-5 and went on to win the Super Bowl. The Texans had little talent and were the laughing stock of the league, as the franchise didn't have its first winning season until the 2009 season which was its eighth season of existence.
Johnson went on to be a Hall Of Famer, but he was the lone bright spot on those early rosters for the Texans. The organization is in a good spot now, but it has never really been in the running for a Super Bowl title and has yet to make the AFC Championship Game.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Joey Porter Jr records his first interception against the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.
Steelers Great Joey Porter Sr.'s Legacy Lives On In Pittsburgh
It was a wonderful moment for Steelers fans when the organization selected Joey Porter Jr. with the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Porter Jr. has solidified himself as the number one cornerback in Pittsburgh, and the young defender certainly has a bright future ahead of him. He has only recorded two interceptions throughout his career, but the talent is obvious as the team often trusts him to follow opposing team's best wide receivers.
Porter Jr. has struggled some with penalties, but that is just because of the physical style of football he prefers to play. Once he cleans up these issues with penalties, he should become one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the league.
What do you think about Johnson's story of Porter Sr.? Let us know in the comments below!
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