Harrison Named Semi-Finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame
11/23/2022 12:42:00 PM | Football
KENT-Former Kent State linebacker James Harrison has been named a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday.
Harrison is one of 28 Modern-Era semi-finalists for the Hall of Fame's Class of 2023. He is one of five players to be named a semi-finalist in his first year of eligibility. To be eligible for the hall of fame, a player must not have been active for a game in at least five consecutive seasons. Harrison announced his retirement following the 2017 campaign.
Harrison was an outstanding linebacker for the Golden Flashes from 1999-2001. He earned first-team All-MAC honors in the 2001 season when he totaled 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss, both marks are second all-time for a single-season in program history. Harrison still owns the Kent State record for sacks in a game, sacking future Steelers' teammate Ben Roethlisberger five times in a 24-20 victory in 2001. His 15 career sacks and 42 tackles for loss are still top-10 all time at Kent State. He was inducted into the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame at Kent State as part of the Class of 2010. His number 16 is also retired by the football program.
Undrafted in the 2002 NFL draft, Harrison signed a free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers and went on to play 14 seasons in the Steel City. He is the all-time sack leader for the Steelers with 80.5 and was named the 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII against Arizona remains one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history. Harrison also played for the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals in his storied career.
The 28 semi-finalist will be reduced down to 15 before the final voting process begins. The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be announced during the NFL Honors telecast, scheduled to air on February 9th at 9 p.m. ET.
