James Harrison rips Steelers, says he didn’t re-sign there to ‘collect a check and a participation trophy’

Bill Sikes/AP

• James Harrison posted a note to Instagram criticizing the Pittsburgh Steelers for how he was handled this season.
• Harrison wrote that he was told he would play when he re-signed but that he did not receive enough opportunities to get ready for the season.
• Harrison wrote that he did not re-sign with the Steelers to sit on the bench.

James Harrison is firing back at those who were critical of the way he left the Pittsburgh Steelers and landed with the New England Patriots, a potential Steelers playoff opponent.

Earlier this week, former Steelers teammates were critical of Harrison and how he behaved prior to being released by the Steelers. The criticisms suggested Harrison no longer wanted to be on the Steelers and forced his release.

On Friday, Harrison posted a note to Instagram criticizing the Steelers for misleading him when he re-signed with the team and for not using him after he did. Harrison also took yet another swipe at participation trophies in his criticism.

“If anybody thought I signed a two year deal with a team in the NFL at age 39 to sit on the bench and collect a check and a participation trophy, they’re mistaken,” Harrison wrote on Instagram. “I didn’t sign up to sit on the bench and be a cheerleader.”

Instagram/jhharrison92

In 2015, Harrison made headlines when he posted a lengthy message on social media criticizing participation trophies. In the post, Harrison said he planned to return two trophies his sons had received because he believed they had not earned a real trophy.