LATROBE, Pa. — James Harrison is an emotional guy. Always has been. The Steelers linebacker plays with an intensity few in the NFL can match.
Yet the four-time Pro Bowler knows that fury has its limits, and Friday he admitted he blew right past them in a magazine article this month in which he used an anti-gay slur when talking about commissioner Roger Goodell and criticized teammates for their play in Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl loss to the Packers.
“The comments I made about Roger Goodell were inappropriate at the least and way out of line,” Harrison said. “I was speaking out of anger and frustration at the time and any comments that I may have made that offended anyone with my careless use of words, I apologize.”
Harrison used the slur while expressing his aggravation with the league’s new player safety rules. One of the NFL’s fiercest hitters, the volatile 33-year-old drew $100,000 in fines for illegal hits last season. He said he was venting about the new rules — and not Goodell personally — while calling him a “crook” and a “devil.”
The 2008 AP defensive player of the year hasn’t spoken to Goodell since the article was published and isn’t sure whether he’ll be disciplined by the league.
“I don’t think (Goodell) is a guy that’s going to hold something on a personal level (against me professionally),” Harrison said. “I attacked him on a personal level, which wasn’t right. I don’t expect anything to be done.”
Meanwhile, the Steelers released veteran offensive tackle Flozell Adams after free-agent linemen Willie Colon and Jonathan Scott were re-signed.
In other news:
• The Bears signed former Cowboys receiver Roy Williams and agreed to a one- year deal with former Jets defensive lineman Vernon Gholston.
• The Colts expect to begin training camp practices Monday without quarterback Peyton Manning, who not only is coming off neck surgery, but doesn’t have a contract.
• Former University of Northern Colorado receiver Vincent Jackson, who missed training camp and most of last season in a salary dispute with San Diego, signed a franchise tag with the Chargers worth nearly $11 million.
• Former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, the No. 1 overall pick, agreed to a four-year, $22 million deal with the Panthers.
• The Lions agreed to terms with free-agent defensive back Eric Wright.
• Plaxico Burress and Giants coach Tom Coughlin met for roughly 90 minutes to gauge the possibility of the receiver’s return to New York. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora failed to report for the first day of training camp and was placed on the reserve-did not report list.
• Two-time Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore was a no-show for the first day of 49ers training camp, apparently fulfilling his plan to hold out for a new contract.
• Titans running back Chris Johnson will not be reporting for training camp until he gets a new contract, saying on Twitter, “Imma just leave it in god hands.”
