James Harrison returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday and apologized for his comments about wanting to harm players on the football field earlier this week.  Harrison, who said he contemplated retirement after the NFL fined him $75,000 on Tuesday for an illegal hit on Cleveland Brown WR Mohamed Massaquoi, returned to practice and said he would not retire. He did not speak with reporters after practicing, but released a statement saying he was committed to the Steelers.  "After having some time to think about the situation, talk to my family, friends and the Steelers organization, I have come to the decision that I cannot and will not let the league office stop me from playing the game I love," Harrison said.  NFL VIDEO: League shows players differences between clean, dirty hits  Harrison recoiled this week after his fine was announced in conjunction with the NFL's vow to enhance discipline on players who make illegal on-field hits. Harrison defended his style of play and maintained that his hit on Massaquoi was not legal. Harrison said he aimed for the receiver's mid-section, but made contact with his upper body because of a motion Massaquoi made.  The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year was excused from practice on Wednesday after a meeting with coach Mike Tomlin, who said he expected Harrison back. QB Ben Roethlisberger said that he was confident Harrison would eventually adapt to the NFL's new guidelines.  Harrison reiterated on Thursday that he believes his hit on Massaquoi was clean, but he acknowledged it was wrong for him to say he intends to hurt other players during games.  "I am all for player safety and I agree that some of the rule changes that have been made are good for the game," he said. "As far as my situation, I believe the hit against Massaquoi for which I was fined was legal and well within the scope of the rules. I feel the reason for the fine was the statement after the game wherein I said that I try to hurt people, not injure them. In the same sentence I attempted to clarify my meaning, but I understand that my comments leave a lot open to interpretation. The statement was not well-thought out and I did not adequately convey my meaning.  Harrison, 31, also said he has no plans to leave the league.  "I will not retire from the NFL," he said. "I will continue to play the game with the same passion, intensity and focus with which I have always played and let the chips fall where they may. I have never given up, quit or walked away from anything in my life and I am not about to start now. I will not let down my family, friends or the Steelers Nation."  -- Sean LeahyHat tip: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor  . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to  . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to
James Harrison apologizes for remarks, says he will not retire from NFL - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com