Ex-Steelers star defends Ben Roethlisberger after ‘pure-out attack’ by Joey Porter

Joey Porter Sr.'s blistering attack on Ben Roethlisberger's character isn't the belief of all his former teammates.

James Harrison, who was Roethlisberger's teammate from 2004-2012 and again from 2014-2017, defended the quarterback during his podcast that was posted this week, saying that I do not think Ben is a bad teammate."

Harrison's reply came after Porter went scorched earth on Roethlisberger, calling him just not a good teammate" and saying that he was not a good person.

Porter also went after Harrison with his comments, accusing both players of breaking the brotherhood" over their criticisms of former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

That was a pure-out attack on Ben's character, and what I said about Mike was an attack on his coaching," Harrison said on the Deebo and Joe" podcast. Two different things. That's more breaking the brotherhood than what Ben said. Ben said, I think I feel like maybe Tomlin should move on.' Like, come on, bruh. That's what he said."

James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks onto the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field on November 8, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty ImagesBen Roethlisberger, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback participates in a ceremony at halftime of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. AP

I went way harder than that," Harrison added. But [Porter] went on [the attack] because he, obviously, has a personal issue with Ben that hasn't been resolved."

During the scathing commentary against Roethlisberger, Porter specifically mentioned instances where the QB refused to sign gear for teammates.

Harrison acknowledged that Roethlisberger's ego may have impacted the way he handled himself early on in his career.

Joey Porter Sr. speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIX on February 05, 2025. Getty Images for SiriusXM

Hell yeah, that's going to stroke my ego and give me delusions of grandeur. But over time, [Roethlisberger] has matured and grown up," Harrison said. You don't value the same things you did at 23 as you do at 30. Hell, I'm a different person at 47 than I was at 45. And I'm a far worse person at 40 than I was at 45."

Roethlisberger has not publicly responded to Porter's comments.