Joey Porter

Joseph Eugene Porter (born March 22, 1977 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State University.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL. He pleaded guilty to battery charges against Levi Jones when he and six associates assaulted him in a casino.

Pittsburgh Steelers
1999

Porter was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (73 overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. During the preseason, Porter wore number 95, the first Steelers to wear the number since Steelers linebacker great Greg Lloyd was released following the 1997 season. However, despite his similarities to Lloyd in terms of playing style and vocal leadership (or perhaps because of it), Porter changed his jersey number to 55 just before the start of the regular season in order to develop his own identity. He also took 55 in honor of his childhood hero, Junior Seau.

He finished the preseason as the team's leading tackler, compiling 22 total tackles, including 18 solo stops. He also registered a team-high four sacks and forced a fumble. He went on to excel on special teams during the regular season, with his time on defense increasing as the year went on. His first career sack came on Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch on September 12, when he also forced a fumble on the play. He partially deflected a punt against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 2. In the season finale against the Tennessee Titans, Porter accumulated six tackles and a sack. He also forced and recovered a Neil O'Donnell fumble and returned it 46 yards for a score.


2000

In 2000, Porter finished second behind Jason Gildon and set a career high with 10.5 sacks on the year. He and Gildon also tied a franchise record with 24 sacks as a duo. On the year, he registered 74 tackle (51 solo), one interception, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was voted the AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October. Against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 15, he registered eight tackles (seven solo), three sacks including one for a safety, four quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He had five tackles and two sacks in a game against the Baltimore Ravens two games later. Porter's first career interception came against the Tennessee Titans on November 5 on a pass from Steve McNair. His second career touchdown came on a 32-yard fumble recovery against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 12. He closed out the season with 1.5 sacks against the San Diego Chargers on December 24.

During the September 17th game against the rival Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Porter tackled punter Chris Gardocki while Gardocki was trying to punt the ball. While Porter would be penalized for roughing the punter, Gardocki briefly laid moitionless, then subsequently flipped the middle finger twice to Steelers head coach Bill Cowher. The incident, caught on live television, resulted in a $5,000 fine for Gardocki. The two would later be teammates with the Steelers from 2004-2006.


2001

Porter had a career day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 21, 2001, recording six tackles, four sacks and a pass deflected while earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Two weeks later he registered four tackles and two sacks against the Baltimore Ravens. He missed the season finale against the Cleveland Browns - the first time he failed to play in his NFL career - due to a shoulder injury. Porter finished with 59 tackles and nine sacks on the season.


2002

In Week 2 of the 2002 season, Porter had what is likely the best game of his professional career. In a 30-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders on September 15, Porter racked up seven tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and two passes defensed. The performance, during which he returned one interceptions 84 yards, earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He recorded five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in a 34-7 blowout against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 13. On the year, Porter had nine sacks - the third straight year of eclipsing the mark - while setting career highs in tackles (88), interceptions (4) and interception return yards (153). He was selected to his first Pro Bowl following the season.


2003

In 2003 Porter recorded the lowest sack total of his career since his rookie year, while missing two games due to a gunshot wound on August 31, 2003 outside of a Denver bar, just before the beginning of the season. He recorded a sack and recovered a fumble in his first game back against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 21. On October 26 against the St. Louis Rams, he had six tackles, a pass defense and two sacks - his only multiple-sack game of the year. In 14 games played, Porter totaled 65 tackles, five sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four passes defensed.


2004

Porter bounced back in 2004 with the second Pro Bowl selection of his career. In an October 31 win against the New England Patriots, Porter had four tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He was selected the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. He recorded two sacks against the Washington Redskins on November 28, and had his lone interception of the season on December 26 on a pass from Baltimore Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller. He finished the year with 53 tackles, seven sacks and an interception.

On November 14 against the Browns in Cleveland, Porter and Browns running back William Green were both ejected prior to kickoff due to a pregame fight. Porter's backup, James Harrison (who would ultimately replace Porter in the starting lineup after Porter left Pittsburgh), would get his first NFL start in place of Porter.


2005

Porter had one of his best years in 2005 as his team went on to beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL. Porter was named to the third Pro Bowl of his career and the second in two years. On the year, he tied a career high with 10.5 sacks while adding 56 tackles, two interceptions and four forced fumbles. He recorded a sack in four of the team's first five games of the season. In a 41-0 blowout win over the Cleveland Browns on December 24, Porter had five tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.


2006

Porter prior to a game in 2006In what would be his final year as a member of the Steelers, Porter had what many would consider a down year. He recorded 6.5 sacks on the year, but six of them came in three games against the mediocre offensive lines of the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the other half sack came against the Cleveland Browns. In the season opener against the Miami Dolphins, he intercepted a Daunte Culpepper pass in the fourth quarter and returned it for his first interception touchdown to seal a victory. He missed two contests in October while nursing a hamstring injury. Porter finished the year with 55 tackles and 6.5 sacks.


Miami Dolphins
2007

With the Steelers in transition under new head coach Mike Tomlin, the team released Porter on March 1, 2007 in lieu of paying him a $1 million roster bonus. He received immediate interest from a handful of teams, including Pittsburgh's three division rivals - the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. The Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and San Diego Chargers were also in the mix, but it came down to the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins. After Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron and general manager Randy Mueller flew to Porter's home in owner Wayne Huizenga's jet, Porter was persuaded to sign with the Dolphins.

Porter was officially signed by the Dolphins on March 8, 2007. He received a five-year deal worth approximately $32 million. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus and $8 million in guaranteed money. He immediately clinched the starting strong side linebacker, playing opposite Jason Taylor - the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year. Porter struggled during the 2007 season, amassing only 5.5 sacks, his lowest total since 2003.


2008

The 2008-2009 season saw a rejuvenated Joey Porter return to his old indomitable form, leading the AFC and finishing second in the NFL with a career-high 17.5 sacks; thus, Porter played an integral role in metamorphosing the 1-15 Dolphins of 2007-2008 into a 11-5 AFC East Champion football team. Porter has since been rewarded for his strong play and award-worthy revival by earning his fourth Pro Bowl and was named 2nd Team All-Pro.