The Pittsburgh Steelers saw many amazing years out of former undrafted free agent James Harrison as time went on. The 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year made a name for himself by being one of the scariest players in the modern era of football. Even when he was on the downside of his career and looking toward retirement the second time, the league still kept a close eye on him to make sure he didn't wreck the offensive line. He may have lost some records over the years, but there may not be another player like him.
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Former Steelers OLB James Harrison was known as one of the most intense defenders of his time.
During a recent episode of Deebo & Joe, Harrison explained what he did to always make sure he was on top of his game every day that football was in session.
"I play mind games with myself," Harrison said. "The fact that a team showed up and they didn't forfeit -- I ain't lying, I took it as disrespectful. 'You came here because you thought you had an opportunity to win, to whoop my a**, to beat us, to dominate,' whatever that process is that you need to come away with that W. I'm mind-gaming myself from the beginning that you even showed up. That's got to be disrespectful to me. Your head coach should've been like, 'We seen what we seen. We don't even want to step out there. Let's forfeit this sh*t.'"
Some of the mental games that players play on themselves can be a bit unorthodox, but as long as it works, nobody will complain. Harrison would keep telling himself that him and/or his team was not feared enough by the opponents, so they had to constantly remind everyone about who they were. It led to a very dominating career, so the only complaints are by the poor linemen and quarterbacks that had to deal with him throughout a game.
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James Harrison registers a sack on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco during a divisional playoff game in 2011 against the Steelers.
Harrison continued on and spoke about how those mind games would even translate over to training camp and preseason.
"I was All-Pro and all that. Each year, I came in and I'm hoping and praying that they draft an outside linebacker, because now, I'm already in my head," Harrison explained. "'Oh, you drafted this dude to replace me, huh? I got something for you.' Each year I came in, I'm fighting to make this team. Yeah, I got a contract that's guaranteed. I'm not even thinking about that. I got to make this team."
Of course, there was a time when Harrison had to fight to make the roster each year, and he failed to do so most of the time early on. However, when he finally burst onto the scene, there was no question about his ability to wreak havoc. Even in his best years, he treated the offseason and training camp like he was on the outside looking in, and that only made him madder.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' former linebacker James Harrison walks out on the field shirtless during a cold game.
Harrison had five straight Pro Bowls, two Second Team All-Pros, two First Team All-Pros, and the aforementioned Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2008 when the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII. He made plenty of money over his long career too. He just kept motivating himself to prove everyone wrong, even though fans, players and pundits already knew what he was made of and feared him for it.
Steelers Have Been Looking For More Mind Games
After a dominant Week 3 performance in 2025, safety Jabrill Peppers was told by defensive captain Cameron Heyward to pretend that every single opponent he faces is the New England Patriots, since he played great against them. He has not played much due to the defense getting healthier since then, but if he needs to act like every week is a revenge game like it was then, he could have an amazing season and force himself onto the field more often.
What do you think about Harrison playing mind games with himself during his NFL career? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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