In a fiery post-game interview, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison didn’t hold back, harshly criticizing the NFL officiating after the Steelers’ narrow loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The game ended in a 27-24 defeat for the Steelers, but Harrison believes that crucial officiating blunders played a significant role in determining the outcome.
Harrison, known for his blunt opinions and history of clashing with NFL policies, expressed his frustration about what he called “inconsistent” and “one-sided” calls that he believes cost the Steelers the game. His ire was particularly directed at a series of controversial penalties called during key moments of the fourth quarter.
“This is some of the worst officiating I’ve seen in a long time,” Harrison said. “It wasn’t just one call; it was a string of them. They’re deciding the game instead of letting the players do it. You can’t have that at this level, especially in a game this important.”
The tipping point came late in the fourth quarter when a roughing-the-passer penalty on Steelers defensive lineman T.J. Watt extended a Colts drive that eventually led to a game-tying field goal. Harrison, who has been outspoken about the NFL’s stance on protecting quarterbacks, blasted the call as “soft” and part of a trend in the league he finds troubling.
“They’re making it impossible to play defense. You can’t breathe on the quarterback without getting flagged these days,” he added. “T.J. did his job, and that flag was ridiculous. It’s football — it’s supposed to be physical.”
Harrison also pointed to a missed pass interference call on a critical Steelers third-down play, which could have extended a drive in the final minutes. Instead, the Steelers were forced to punt, and the Colts capitalized by marching down the field for a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Steelers fans and players alike echoed Harrison’s sentiments, flooding social media with complaints about the officiating. Many expressed frustration that the Steelers’ playoff hopes took a serious hit because of what they felt were preventable errors by the officials.
While Harrison’s comments will undoubtedly stir controversy, they also reignite an ongoing debate about the consistency of NFL officiating and the league’s emphasis on protecting offensive players. Whether his harsh critique will lead to any changes in how games are called remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the Steelers’ loss to the Colts will be remembered as a game marred by officiating controversy.
For now, Harrison and Steelers Nation will continue to voice their frustrations, hoping that the league will take a closer look at the way games are officiated moving forward.
