The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Joey Porter Sr in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. Porter played with the Steelers for eight seasons before departing in free agency to join the Miami Dolphins in 2007. The four-time Pro Bowler piled up 60 of his 98 career sacks while wearing black and gold and developed a love-hate relationship with the fan base during his tenure as a player and a coach.
| David J. Phillip Associated Press
Joey Porter celebrates a victory in Super Bowl XL with his two sons.
The former Pittsburgh linebacker was a lightning rod for controversy. He got into fights on the field and was not afraid to open his mouth, often to his detriment off the field. He has not lost too much of his edge and is still litigating his war of words with Jerramy Stevens of the Seattle Seahawks. That beef started in 2006 and is still going strong in 2023.
Porter is long retired, and his coaching career has seemingly ended. He was hired by the Steelers to coach linebackers from 2014 to 2018. Porter as a coach played a pivotal role in the 2015 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs after getting into an ugly confrontation with Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict. When the Steelers elected not to bring him back after the 2018 season, that incident may have caused reluctance for some other team to give him a chance as a coach.
Photo Credit: Penn State Athletics
Steelers fans would love to see Joey Porter Jr lining up in black and gold at Acrisure Stadium next year if he falls to Pittsburgh in the draft.
In 2019 Joey Porter Jr enrolled at Penn State as a scholarship cornerback. His NFL father’s pedigree was attractive but there was concern that his antics could affect the Penn State program. The football decision-makers were willing to take the risk because Porter Jr is supremely talented. After four seasons with the Nittany Lions, a first-team All-Big 10 and second-team All-American resume to his credit, the defensive back has entered the NFL Draft and is projected to be a first-round draft pick.
One of the teams considering bringing in Porter Jr is the Baltimore Ravens, and they are embracing the potential baggage that Porter Sr might bring with him. John Harbaugh poked fun at the potential situation during a recent meeting with the press in Baltimore.
“I think seeing Joey Porter Sr a Ravens fan, that would be great for all of us,” Harbaugh smirked while answering if he would be one. “Of course, he would, you're family first man.”
"Seeing Joey Porter Sr. a Ravens fan, that'd be great for all of us." 😂😂
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 5, 2023
"Would he be though?" pic.twitter.com/QbxihbYdva
Porter Sr was a model of composure during his son’s playing career. Despite spending his final five seasons away from the Steelers as a player, Porter’s legacy is engrained in black and gold. It would be a horrifying thought that a player who is so closely associated with the attitude of the early 2000s Steelers defense would convert to being a fan of the Steelers’ biggest rival. Harbaugh for his part is embracing the idea of converting him.
“I’m going to find out,” Harbaugh laughed. “It would be good to know. I know for me it is family first. But Joey Porter Jr is a heck of a player. This dude knows how to play, I love the way he plays. He is the Joey Porter Sr version in DB form.”
It would have been interesting to hear a follow-up question about how he felt about family first when the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl, but that question was not asked. It is likely that a no comment would have followed if it had.
Steelers History Is Not On Joey Porter Jr's Side In 2023 NFL Draft
Porter Jr has slipped on draft boards a little after what was considered a subpar combine performance. He has begun to rebound because of his tape but he did not test as a superior athlete like he was expected to in Indianapolis. Porter is still being projected as a top-three cornerback prospect, but the gap has widened.
G. Newman Lowrance
Steel City Underground
Porter Sr would be in a difficult spot if his son is drafted by a heated rival, but it doesn’t seem like the organization is prepared to harbor any ill will against his famous father. The question is if the Steelers and their fans would when the inevitable trash talk starts.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers be concerned that passing Porter Jr could land him on a divisional rival’s doorstep? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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