Steelers' James Harrison Claims Powerful NFL Figure Blocked Him From Super Bowl MVP

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had no shortage of legendary defensive players throughout their storied history, but few were as feared as former linebacker James Harrison. Known for his punishing hits, relentless motor, and underdog rise from undrafted free agent to Defensive Player of the Year, Harrison became one of the defining faces of Pittsburgh football during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

Of course, Harrison’s legacy was cemented during the Steelers’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, where he delivered one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. His 100-yard interception return for a touchdown just before halftime remains one of the most memorable moments the sport has ever seen and played a major role in helping Pittsburgh secure its sixth Lombardi Trophy.

Despite that historic performance, Harrison never took home Super Bowl MVP honors, an award that instead went to former teammate Santonio Holmes following his game-winning touchdown catch from the hands of QB Ben Roethlisberger. Years later, however, Harrison is now suggesting there was more going on behind the scenes than fans may have realized at the time. During his time speaking on his Deebo & Joe podcast, Harrison hinted that the late great John Madden blocked him from being named the MVP of that game.

"I should've got it," Harrison said speaking Monday on his podcast. "They wanted to give it to me. It was an argument about it. When I got to the podium, they hadn't picked it yet. They thought it was gonna be me."

Harrison never directly named who he was referring to, but his comments narrowed the speculation considerably. 

He mentioned the individual was “very, very popular” and is “no longer with us,” leading many to connect the dots to the former broadcaster and coach, Madden, who was part of the broadcast team for the game alongside Al Michaels.

"But sources say that somebody put a hold on it, said if I get it, they wasn't going to be doing nothing else with the NFL," Harrison said. "On the punt return, I mushed the dude who tried to cut me... I got a flag for that... That play right there, they were like, 'He shouldn't get it because of that.' It was just one person, though. No longer with us. Just go back to the game, think about who's no longer with us. Very, very popular person, though."

At first, Harrison believed he had won Super Bowl MVP, and many still argue he deserved it. Without his historic 100-yard pick-six before halftime, the Steelers likely don’t win that game, as the play completely shifted momentum.

Steelers Legend Thinks This Play Changed Everything

At the same time, it’s hard to ignore Holmes’ game-winning toe-tap touchdown and Roethlisberger’s clutch throw in the final minutes. In a game filled with iconic moments, someone was always going to come up short in the MVP race. 

Based on Harrison’s comments, it appears one play may have hurt his case the most. He pointed to a flagged hit on a punt return, where he leveled a blocker attempting a cut block, suggesting that moment may have turned at least one influential voice against him during MVP discussions. Perhaps the most influential voice.

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