The Pittsburgh Steelers had to start the 2003 season without their All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter Sr. He was standing outside a bar just before 2 a.m. Sunday after the Colorado-Colorado State football game when he was shot. Porter was in town, where he had gone to college, hanging out after the game. He was an innocent bystander who got shot in the buttocks.
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Steelers' Joey Porter looks on before a game.
Despite the injury, Porter made a quick recovery and returned to play 14 games that season. His toughness and determination were clear as he pushed through the pain to help his team. However, one hilarious story from that time surfaced recently when Porter appeared on Cam Heyward’s podcast, Not Just Football.
Porter shared the time he couldn’t play because of the shooting, but Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis was still antagonizing him before the game. The story reveals a surprising and funny moment of trash talk between two fierce competitors, showing that even in tough situations, Porter’s spirit and humor stayed strong.
"I had just got shot in Denver, this is Week 1 and I have to miss the game," Porter said. "Ray Lewis is saying it’s his house, they about to boom boom boom, we finna do this, x y and z. I look around and was like, who is he talking to? It’s just me out here and I’m like, man, he talking to me? So I start stretching and I’m like, sh** go get my gear, I’m about to Wolverine myself."
Porter recalled that during pregame warmups, he was standing alone on the sideline when he caught Lewis delivering his usual trash talk. The words didn’t sit well with Porter, especially since he obviously couldn’t play because of his recent gunshot injury, though for a brief moment he tried to push through and get on the field.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Sr. speaks to his team ahead of Super Bowl XL.
Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher, however, put a stop to it and didn’t let him play. Still, after the game, Porter got the last laugh.
"Think I can’t play? I’m about to play today, my a** just got shot… This hole in my body is no longer there," Porter said. "Cowher told me, 'Joey, you are not playing,' so now I’m da** angry because Ray done got me gassed up. We beat 'em and Ray come out. He sees Corey and he was like, 'Corey, man, you good over there?' I was like, 'Nah man, he ain’t good, come and check on him.' He said, 'Nah, I'm [going to] pray for you,' and then he got on the bus. That’s when I got mad and walked towards the bus. I was like, 'You talked all that sh**, now you send me a prayer? Don’t pray for me, motherf*****.'"
Porter never actually got on the bus to confront Lewis, despite the rumor that went viral after the scuffle. He admitted he walked toward the bus, but that was as far as it went. This moment and story perfectly capture the kind of player and enforcer Porter was throughout his career. He was someone who always stood his ground and never backed down from business.
Steelers' Joey Porter Sr. Was A True Enforcer
Throughout his time in the NFL, Porter built a reputation as a fierce competitor who played with passion and intensity. His toughness was not just physical but mental. He was known for standing up to opponents, refusing to be intimidated, and representing his team with unwavering loyalty. This incident with Lewis reflects that spirit, showing how Porter’s mindset was always about facing challenges head on no matter the circumstances.
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Steelers former linebacker Joey Porter Sr. hoists his sons after winning Super Bowl XL.
Porter’s ability to mix humor with his fierce competitiveness also made him a memorable figure both on and off the field. Even in difficult situations, he found a way to keep his cool and use moments like this to fuel his drive. The story from that 2003 season perfectly highlights why Porter was not only a great player, but also a respected leader and enforcer who commanded respect from teammates and rivals alike.
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