During the season, Roethlisberger said on his podcast that it might be time to “clean house” in Pittsburgh. The former star QB eventually softened that stance when asked about it during his induction to the Steelers Hall of Honor; however, it clearly rubbed Porter the wrong way.
The former linebacker — who was also a Steelers assistant coach from 2014-18 — gave an example of Big Ben refusing to sign memorabilia for teammates, a common locker-room custom.
“He was telling people, ‘No, I’m not going to sign that,’ ” Porter said. “So once he did that, who they come and tell? The captain. … You can’t tell my vets you’re too cool to sign for my vets. Who the hell is too cool to sign for your teammate? I’m not a fan.”
Porter also said that Big Ben wouldn’t have been a team captain if he hadn’t been appointed by the coaches.
“Nobody’s going to vote for him as captain because he don’t have no captain quality,” Porter said.
Harrison avoided the same flamethrower that Porter leveled at Big Ben but received criticism for what Porter saw as shots at Tomlin, including revealing personal conversations with the ex-Steelers coach.
“You think the head coach didn’t have his hand in making that player? So when you say he did nothing for you, that’s crazy,” Porter said. “Then it’s like, damn, why would you take a shot at the guy who changed your life? Because [Bill] Cowher didn’t change your life. Cowher cut you three times.”
While figuring out his QB situation is priority No. 1, new coach Mike McCarthy might need to call for a kumbaya session of former Steelers greats to settle things down this offseason.