Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison spent his off day flying to New York and meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday.
Bill Parise, the agent for James Harrison tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports, he’s under the assumption that Goodell asked for James to come to New York and meet with him and NFL officials to discuss the recent crackdowns on flagrant hits.
Parise could not confirm that was the case but all signs point towards Goodell orchestrating the meeting.
“I have to assume, Parise told Inside Pittsburgh Sports. “My feeling is commissioner set up the meeting. I can’t imagine James calling up the commissioner and asking for a meeting on his off day, ” Parise said.
Parise told me it’s possible that the Steelers could have set up the meeting but says he doubts it, as he remains in daily contact with Steelers officials and he believes the team would have informed him in advance.
“I always talk to the Steelers, ” Parise said.
Parise was not at the meeting as agents are not usually invited to these type of things but says in talking to James, he’s under the assumption that the meeting was “positive” and had “some merit”.
Harrison was fined $75,000 for a hit on Cleveland Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and $5,000 earlier in the season for slamming Titans quarterback Vince Young to the ground.
Harrison who is having another pro bowl season, leads the Steelers with 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and is second on the team with 49 tackles.
His dominate play has been somewhat overlooked this season, as he’s been fined a total of $80,000 this season and it was believed earlier in the week that number would grow.
ESPN reported Monday night, Harrison would be fined for a questionable late hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees from this past Sunday’s game.
As of 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Harrison nor Parise have received any word from the league on a possible fine.
Typically, Parise said they usually receive notice from the league on Tuesday and Wednesday morning at the latest.
Parise has been trying to keep ahead of the game on a possible fine and said neither him, the Steelers or Harrison have heard anything from the league thus far.
“I sent James a text at noon after his lunch and he hadn’t heard, ” Parise said.
Parise has also been in touch with the Steelers multiple times today.
The Steelers hit the field this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. for their normal Wednesday practice. Harrison was not available to the media prior to practice.