James Harrison Hits Out at Roger Goodell, Calls him 'Crook,' 'Devil'

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison slammed National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, calling him crook and devil in a latest interview to Men's Journal magazine.

My rep is James Harrison, mean son of a bitch who loves hitting the hell out of people, he said. But up until last year, there was no word of me being dirty - till Roger Goodell, who's a crook and a puppet, said I was the dirtiest player in the league. If that man was on fire and I had to piss to put him out, I wouldn't do it. I hate him and will never respect him, he told the magazine.

During the 2010 season, Harrison drew several penalties and fines for hits that were deemed to be illegal by referees and the NFL. In October 2010, Goodell fined Harrison over $100,000 for illegal hits

In 2010, Harrison logged 100 tackles total, 70 solo tackles. He achieved 10.5 sacks, 2 ints and 6 forced fumbles.

Harrison was summoned to league headquarters in November to meet with Goodell, NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson, and director of football operations Merton Hanks.

What I tried to explain to Goodell, but he was too stupid to understand, is that dudes crouch when you go to hit them. With Massaquoi, my target area was his waist and chest, but he lowered himself at the last possible second and I couldn't adjust to his adjustment. But Goodell, who's a devil, ain't hearing that. Where's the damn discretion, the common sense?, he told Men's Journal.

Recently, Steelers lost 25-31 against Green Bay Packers in a Super Bowl XLV game.

On the contrary, if Steelers would have won that game against Packers Harrison may have asked Goodell to quit.

I'd have whispered in his ear, 'Why don't you quit and do something else, like start your own league in flag football?' 

In addition, Harrison didn't spare quarterback Ben Roethlisberger too in the interview.

Commenting on the two interceptions thrown by Roethlisberger in last year's Super Bowl, Harrison said: Hey, at least throw a pick on their side of the field instead of asking the D to bail you out again. Or hand the ball off and stop trying to act like Peyton Manning. You ain't that and you know it, man; you just get paid like he does.

Harrison also called teammate Rashard Mendenhall a fumble machine.

But, Mendenhall said on Twitter he didn't have a problem with what Harrison said because I know him.'' He also included a link to his stats from last season, which show he didn't have a pattern of fumbling.

On the other hand, Harrison respects Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.

He's the one guy in football I respect absolutely, 'cause he's spiritual and lives it like he talks it. He's so polite and talks so softly that he could tell he could tell Goodell to kiss his ass, and Goodell would smile and say thank you, he told to Men's Journal.

Harrison's comments in the interview about the NFL commissioner have sparked uproar among the fans who took to Twitter to show their anger.

@tcrowe4 tweeted: Sometimes you make so much money, and you play at such a high level that you become.......James Harrison

@therealAkrueger tweeted: Hahaha is James Harrison the dumbest player in the #NFL ? Everytime he says somethin it turns out to be stupid lol

@TommyJNoonanIII tweeted: James Harrison is an idiot!!! Always was always will be.

Meanwhile, Steelers President Art Rooney II said he has not seen the article in Men's Journal nor spoken to Harrison about the comments.

We will discuss the situation at the appropriate time, when permitted once the labor situation is resolved.