Since news first broke of possible changes to the way violent hits are handled by the league, there’s been no shortage of discussion, with both sides making equally valid arguments for and against it.

Steeler’s linebacker James Harrison took the criticism to a new level late last night, telling Into the Night with Tony Bruno guest host Jody McDonald that he will consider retirement, if the new punishments will keep him from playing at the level he expects of himself.

“I’m going to sit down and have a serious conversation with my coach tomorrow and see if I can actually play by NFL rules and still be effective,” Harrison said. “If not, I may have to give up playing football.”

From www.nfl.com (share this quote)

Harrison was at the center of two separate hits last Sunday that forced Cleveland wide receivers Joshua Cribbs and Mohammed Massaquoi from the field after each suffered a concussion. The league levied a $75,000 fine on Harrison for his blow to Massaquoi’s head, making it clear that any further hits of that nature will result in a significant suspension at the very least.

In spite of his comments, Harrison isn’t likely to retire anytime soon and his scheduled sit down with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin tomorrow should set him straight. That said, it’s definitely telling that a player of Harrison’s caliber is even contemplating leaving the game in his prime, and if the league continues to go down this path towards suspending players for the hard hits that defined the league not all that long ago.

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