James Harrison, a former outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and intimidating defensive players in NFL history. Notably, he is the only undrafted free agent ever to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Beyond his accolades on the field, Harrison’s relentless work ethic set him apart. Even at 47 years old, long after his NFL career ended, he continues to train with a level of intensity that surpasses many current professional athletes.
Tomlin’s Favoritism and Leniency Created Division, Undermined Discipline Within the Steelers Team
During his decade-long tenure under head coach Mike Tomlin, Harrison observed a mixed leadership style. While Tomlin is often praised for being a “player’s coach,” Harrison pointed out that this approach had its downsides. On Shannon Sharpe’s show Nightcap, Harrison noted that Tomlin’s leniency toward certain players sometimes caused disruptions. He suggested that this favoritism led to inconsistency in discipline and accountability within the team.
James Harrison (NFL)Harrison elaborated that while Tomlin’s leadership style was well-intentioned, it occasionally crossed the line into enabling. He cited specific examples of players receiving special treatment, indicating that Tomlin often bent the rules for select individuals.
This preferential treatment created internal tensions and undermined the team’s unity. Harrison’s commentary confirmed a long-standing belief among fans that Tomlin’s favoritism sometimes came at the expense of team discipline.
Antonio Brown’s Special Treatment Exposed Tomlin’s Double Standards and Leadership Inconsistencies
One of the clearest illustrations of Tomlin’s inconsistent enforcement of rules came during training camp. While most of the team stayed in modest dormitories at Saint Vincent College, former star wide receiver Antonio Brown stayed in a lavish rented home nearby, complete with a private chef.
This stark contrast in living arrangements highlighted the double standards Harrison alluded to and symbolized the deeper issue of unequal treatment among players.
Despite Tomlin’s mantra that “the standard is the standard,” Harrison and many critics argue that the head coach hasn’t held all players to that same benchmark. This lack of consistent accountability has been cited as a key reason behind the Steelers’ underwhelming playoff performances over the past decade.
According to Harrison, the erosion of discipline and favoritism has contributed significantly to the team’s inability to achieve sustained postseason success.
