A public back-and-forth has erupted among former members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, centering on criticism of head coach Mike Tomlin and escalating into personal accusations.
How It Started
Former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and ex-linebacker James Harrison made subtle comments questioning aspects of Tomlin’s coaching. That prompted a strong response from their former teammate Joey Porter Sr., who accused Roethlisberger of being a “bad teammate” and suggested that players had long protected the quarterback’s reputation inside the locker room.
Porter reportedly claimed Roethlisberger was distant and that teammates had to “cover” for him over the years — comments that reignited debate about leadership dynamics during the Steelers’ 2000s era.
Roethlisberger’s Response
On his podcast Footbahlin, Roethlisberger avoided directly attacking Porter. Instead, he emphasized personal growth and faith, speaking about maturity, family, and striving to have a “soft heart.” While he didn’t name Porter, the timing of his remarks clearly aligned with the controversy.
His approach stood in contrast to the sharper tone of the original criticism, signaling an attempt to de-escalate rather than inflame the situation.
Harrison Pushes Back
Harrison defended Roethlisberger on the Deebo & Joe podcast, arguing that Porter crossed a line by making personal character attacks public. Harrison said his own past issues with Tomlin were football-related — not personal — and suggested that airing locker-room grievances undermines team “brotherhood.”
Other Former Teammates Weigh In
The debate has divided former Steelers players. Linemen like Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro have defended Roethlisberger, while others have echoed aspects of Porter’s criticism.
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Bigger Picture
The disagreement reflects lingering tensions from a locker room that produced two Super Bowl titles and defined a generation of Steelers football. While the current roster is uninvolved, the public dispute has stirred conversation about leadership, accountability, and loyalty among retired icons.
For now, Roethlisberger appears committed to cooling the feud — choosing reflection over retaliation as the debate continues among his former teammates.