{"id":759666,"date":"2026-02-18T05:26:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T05:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/759666\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T05:26:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T05:26:15","slug":"steelers-legend-defends-ben-roethlisberger-in-public-feud-with-former-teammate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/759666\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers Legend Defends Ben Roethlisberger In Public Feud With Former Teammate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pittsburgh Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger has been under fire recently after former teammate Joey Porter Jr. brutally called him out<\/a> on Cam Heyward\u2019s podcast last week.<\/p>\n

Porter, who won a Super Bowl with Roethlisberger during the 2005 campaign, sparked a public feud by saying Roethlisberger wasn\u2019t a good teammate, among other things, in his NSFW rant.<\/p>\n

Ex-Steelers have since taken sides, either agreeing with Porter or defending Roethlisberger<\/a>. One former Pittsburgh star in the latter camp is legendary linebacker James Harrison.<\/p>\n

Harrison won two Super Bowls with Roethlisberger and played 13 seasons with him, so he knows the former quarterback much better than Porter, who only played three seasons with Roethlisberger.<\/p>\n

Harrison recently defended Roethlisberger<\/a> on the \u201cDeebo & Joe\u201d podcast.<\/p>\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n

People get on James Harrison for being hyperbolic and controversial on his podcast. But this is a very well thought out defense of Big Ben. And rebuttal to what Joey Porter said. I think it\u2019s worth every Steelers fans time. pic.twitter.com\/n2N6xnQFpA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cMe personally? I do not think Ben is a bad teammate, okay? Because I have a good relationship with Ben,\u201d Harrison explained. \u201cThat was just a pure-out attack on Ben\u2019s character\u2026(Porter) obviously has a personal issue with Ben that hasn\u2019t been resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harrison acknowledged that while Roethlisberger could be difficult at times, especially early in his career after having so much success right away, he grew up and matured over time. Porter didn\u2019t get to see that version of Roethlisberger, as he left the Steelers after the latter\u2019s third season.<\/p>\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n

Roethlisberger played 18 seasons and essentially grew up in the NFL, so it\u2019s not surprising to hear that he evolved as time passed. While he and Porter may have had issues, it sounds like Harrison thinks much more highly of him.<\/p>\n

More Steelers: Former Steelers Coach Reportedly Set To Join Raiders\u2019 Offensive Staff<\/a><\/p>\n

\t