Steelers' Jerome Bettis Takes Credit For The Fight That Accidentally Created The Legend Of James Harrison

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been a team that favors a physical game. That is especially true when they face any of their AFC North rivals. These games are chippy affairs that often leave fans on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next skirmish to break out. 

In every game against one of their rivals this season, the teams feel as if they are constantly on the verge of coming to blows, and at times, they have. After the loss to the Cleveland Browns, George Pickens and Greg Newsome II locked heads and nearly took it into the stands. 

Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis said he takes the blame for one of their biggest fights with the Browns and the wild aftermath. He shared the story with Christian Kuntz on The Christian Kuntz Podcast. Browns fullback Terrelle Smith started talking smack, saying he was better than Steelers fullback Dan Kreider. 

"I was the reason for the fight," admitted Bettis. "He's [Smith] like, 'He ain't got nothing on me.' Then [William] Green comes over, and next thing you know, Joey Porter sees me, so he's down here. He sees us two wolfing, and he's like, 'What's going on, Bussy, what's up?' I'm like, 'They talking smash.' He get over there close to Green, they got history, 'I don't like you no way.' Green tries to swing on Peezy, and Peezy is swinging on the fullback; it was just like a melee."

That is far from the only time the teams have fought. The best-known one is probably the Myles Garrett - Mason Rudolph fight. Garrett ripped off Rudolph's helmet and slammed it down on his head. The players on both sides came to the defense of their teammates. Ultimately, 33 players were disciplined, primarily fines, and three were suspended. 

Bettis said while Joey Porter Sr. was always ready to fight, something special came out of this one. At the end of the season, Porter was offered a big deal by the Miami Dolphins, one the Steelers wouldn't match, and he would leave the team. Bettis said that because he picked that fight with the Browns and because Porter left, James Harrison got his big break in the league. 

"I started the legend of James Harrison," said Bettis. "Joey got kicked out of the game, so James got to play. Joey ended up leaving, and James came into the spot, and that's the story of how James got in. But they changed all the rules because of Joey. He [is the] only person ever to get kicked out of the game before the game started."

Porter, like Bettis, helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XL. He played in the league for several seasons, but returned to Pittsburgh to coach after retiring. Now, with his son on the team, he is again a fixture around Acrisure Stadium.

Harrison rose to success, beating nearly impossible odds to help the Steelers win two Super Bowls. His famous interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals has etched his place in history, even if the Hall of Fame selection committee continues to overlook him.

Steelers' Jerome Bettis Proud Of His Physicality

During his 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, Bettis said a lot made him proud, but one of the biggest was the physical way he played the game. He said Head Coach Bill Cowher used to say he always knew what he would get if 36 was on the field.  

Bettis said he put extra effort into making the defenders that went up against him pay. While everyone remembers the time he flattened Brian Urlacher, the Hall of Famer said how he systematically wore all the others out meant even more. He said his physicality was a "game within a game," he used his toughness and durability as an asset just like any other one. 

Are you surprised by Bettis' connection to Harrison's success? Click to comment below. 

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