The Steelers/20449/”>Steelers/20449/”>Steelers’ Week 4 loss against the Indianapolis Colts sparked heated discussions across social media, but it wasn’t just the game that was drawing attention.
Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris found himself in hot water after an ill-advised pregame gesture, flipping off the Indianapolis crowd. The action did not sit well with Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin, who took offense to the lack of respect shown towards his home city.
Social media erupted shortly after the incident, with fans calling out Harris for his behavior and labeling him as “soft.” Some even went as far as to claim that his teammate, Cordarrelle Patterson, was the better back. The backlash caught fire, with Colts fans and neutral observers alike criticizing the Steelers’ star for what they saw as unnecessary antics before a critical game.
Addressing the situation on his podcast, The Trenches Show, Zaire Franklin spoke candidly with fellow Colts linebacker E.J. Speed. Both players were clear—they didn’t want to escalate tensions, but they weren’t about to let Harris’ actions slide either. Franklin, in particular, took issue with how Harris disrespected the Indianapolis crowd, especially with young fans, including Franklin’s own child, present in the stands.
“I wouldn’t say I have personal feelings toward that guy,” Franklin explained, “but what I will say is, you flipping off my city coming in, and then you gonna go put out that type of performance, I’mma speak on that.”
Franklin’s comments reflected a deeper sentiment of pride for his city and disappointment in Harris’ pregame antics. E.J. Speed echoed these feelings, emphasizing that it wasn’t about animosity toward Harris as a player, but more about the disrespect shown to the Indianapolis community.
With Week 4 in the past and Week 5 on the horizon, Franklin and Harris will hopefully move on from the incident. While tempers flared in the moment, both teams will need to stay focused on the remainder of the season. Perhaps this will serve as a reminder for all players that there’s more to the game than what happens on the field, and respect for the fans—especially those with children in attendance—should always come first.
