Former NFL edge rusher Joey Porter Sr. clearly doesn’t like his ex-teammates airing dirty laundry about the Pittsburgh Steelers for podcast ratings. To prove his point, Porter jumped on a podcast to air dirty laundry.
While appearing on Cameron Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast, Porter criticized former Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison for their recent commentary on the organization.
Porter particularly attacked the former Steelers quarterback.
“The [expletive] that [Roethlisberger] do that we don’t talk about is crazy. Out of anybody that talk, he should never grab a microphone and talk Steelers business,” Porter said on Heyward’s podcast, via Steelers Depot. “Because if we talking Steelers business, his [expletive] is foul or all foul.
Essentially, Porter put the ex-signal-caller on notice. If Roethlisberger wants to keep sharing “Steelers Business,” Porter has plenty of dirt on the quarterback.
Porter then proceeded to share some.
“The [expletive] that he did is foul or all foul. He’s not a good teammate.
“Won a Super Bowl with him. But the person? He’s just not a good teammate. He knows that. Anybody in the Steeler building knows that.”
Ex-Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. Slams Ben Roethlisberger
Porter shared two specific examples of what he was referring to with “Big Ben.”
The former edge rusher said when Roethlisberger was a rookie in 2004, the first-year quarterback refused to sign items for teammates family members. Roethlisberger wouldn’t sign the items while Steelers veterans would.
Porter added that during his three years as Roethlisberger’s teammate, “nobody would” vote the quarterback for captain because he lacked “captain qualities.”
Roethlisberger first became an offensive team captain for the Steelers in 2008. That season was his fifth in the league, and Porter was no longer on the team.
Porter gave Roethlisberger credit as a player. The former quarterback led the Steelers to the Super Bowl during the 2005 season. That was the only Super Bowl that Porter won as a player.
But it’s harder to imagine Porter having stronger words against Roethlisberger away from the field.
“I’ve only won one Super Bowl and that was my quarterback,” Porter said. “So do I love my quarterback? Yeah. But is he a good person? No.”
Porter’s Overall Message to Ex-Steelers Players
This was the strongest attack Porter made against Roethlisberger or any of his former teammates. But this wasn’t the first time Porter used Heyward’s podcast to voice his displeasure with ex-teammates.
“You say what the [expletive] you want to. It’s yours. I don’t care too much,” Porter said on Heyward’s podcast on Dec. 10. “But if you ask me, I tell you want it look like for me. If they know that’s what they saying and when they walk around ya’ll expecting a high five, good luck.
“Because you can’t crush me and think I’m gonna dap you up and give you a hug like you didn’t just come for my head. That’s over.”
Porter’s comments are completely understandable. Yes, he wants his former teammates to still publicly support the organization rather than have “different agendas.” But Porter’s son, Joey Porter Jr., is also on the team.
It makes things much harder for the players and coaching staff when, in addition to fans and pundits, the Steelers have to face criticism from former players.
Porter played for the Steelers from 1999-2006. In eight seasons, he posted 60 sacks, 75 tackles for loss, 49 pass defenses, 26 forced fumbles and 12 interceptions.
During the 2002 season, Porter made first-team All-Pro. He also made second-team All-Pro in 2004 and 2005.
Porter then served as a defensive assistant for the Steelers from 2014-18.
He is unlikely to ever receive enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame like Roethlisberger probably will. But both Porter and Roethlisberger are in the Steelers Hall of Honor.
Joey Porter Sr. Calls out Ben Roethlisberger, Puts Ex-Steelers QB on Notice