Joey Porter Sr. Calls Out Ex-Steelers For Breaking Big Culture Rule: "What Good Does It Do?"

Despite the big Week 14 win, many fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are still not happy with the state of the team. They are currently 7-6, with projections of going 9-8 and losing in the first round of the playoffs, and Steeler Nation is beyond tired of that trend. That extends to former players of the team, as many have used their experience and name recognition to get on camera and let the whole world hear about how angry and exhausted they are about the franchise -- and how it's time for a change. 

Another Steelers great made an appearance on a podcast recently. This time, it was Joey Porter Sr. joining current defensive captain Cameron Heyward on his show, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. In a twist of irony, he used that show to publicly call out all the other ex-Steelers for how they keep dragging the team and coach through the mud.

"You can never be too cool to listen to when the people who made the history has something to say," Porter said. "Now, I think we're into the point to where now some of the guys getting on these different platforms and they take their shots and say certain stuff. They got different agendas. It's been a Steeler culture rule. Like no matter when we don't like something, what good does it do to us to tear down another Steeler or another guy that's in our building?"

Like the current Steelers players themselves, Porter has heard all the noise coming from the outside world, and he clearly disapproves. He thinks that there's no reason to keep saying all these negative things about the ones that are playing poorly or how the team would possibly benefit from Head Coach Mike Tomlin leaving the organization after the 2025 season. The fans are entitled to say what they want, but Porter feels that team alumni should be held to a higher standard.

There is a saying in those facilities: "Once a Steeler, always a Steeler." It doesn't matter if you played for a division rival before or after joining Pittsburgh, and it doesn't matter how you left. Once you step into the UPMC Rooney Center to sign your contract, you are a member of the Steelers for the rest of your life. Most players take that to heart, and Porter is a prime example of that mindset and philosophy. 

The part about everyone having their own agendas is interesting. Porter did mention that Ryan Clark is on ESPN, so he mainly, seemingly, says what the network executives tell him to say, but the others attempting to jump into the media world may have some sort of issue that they have with either Tomlin or some other aspect of the Steelers' organization. That's where the former linebacker has a problem with these comments. 

There is certainly a lot of anger towards the Steelers being unable to make any progress in recent years, as they are stuck in this seemingly endless cycle of mediocrity fueled by complacency and/or fear of things being worse if changes were to be made at the top. Many fans have even demanded that the team gets rid of every good player and tanks, because the idea of building for the future while being bad seems to be a better idea than continuing on this path.

Other Steelers Greats May Be Right

While Porter may be upset at former Steelers for bashing the current team, they may have a point. Essentially, they have the right to criticize the place that they once worked for. Why are they not allowed to acknowledge the fact that it's not all sunshine and rainbows in Pittsburgh anymore? Somebody has to be direct with everyone. If it's not the team brass, then it may as well be the alumni that knows what true greatness is.

What do you think about Porter being angry at the former Steelers for trashing the team? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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