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Content James Harrison retires as a Steeler

By WTOP Staff

DALE GRDNIC
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The highlight reel for James Harrison’s singular NFL career is loaded with ferocious hits and quarterback sacks, but those aren’t his most definitive play.

The breathtaking, momentum-changing, 100-yard interception return for a touchdown to end the first half in the Pittsburgh Steelers victory in the 2009 Super Bowl is the image the hulking and polarizing linebacker will carry with him into retirement.

“In truth, it’s what won us the Super Bowl,” Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu said.

And it’s why more than five years removed from his remarkable sprint to glory, Harrison was back where it all began. The five-time Pro Bowler and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year officially retired as a Steeler on Friday after signing a one-day contract.

“If you all are looking for tears, you ain’t going to get it,” Harrison said. “I’m just happy to get the opportunity to come back and finish up where it all started.”

Steelers president Art Rooney II called Harrison’s mad dash “probably had the greatest play in Super Bowl history and certainly the greatest in Pittsburgh’s record six Super Bowl triumphs.

As Polamalu and former teammates Brett Keisel, Ike Taylor and Joey Porter looked on, Harrison spoke like a man eager to get on with the next chapter of his life after more than a decade as one of the NFL’s unlikeliest success stories.

“I had too much time invested here, and it’s really family here,” Harrison said.

Harrison played one game for the Steelers in 2002 as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State before playing for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe in 2003. He returned to the Steelers in 2004 and was a stalwart on their defense for nine straight seasons until 2012. His final NFL season was with the Cincinnati Bengals last year, but Harrison’s heart was always in Pittsburgh.

His rise from project to star coincided with the arrival of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was relieved Harrison was a teammate, not an opponent.

“He was one of the toughest, nastiest, best teammates that you could play with,” Roethlisberger said. “He gave everything he had on and off the field, and I respected the heck out of him … because he did everything at such a high level.”

The Steelers first got a look at what Harrison could do during a 2004 game at Cleveland when Porter was ejected for a pre-game fight with Browns running back William Green. Harrison eventually replaced Porter as a full-time starter after the 2006 season.

“I appreciate Joey fighting and everything to give me that start,” Harrison said. “That time in Cleveland, that’s the first time they got a glimpse of what I could do. So, I appreciate Joey Porter for that. He’s my greatest supporter.”

Notes: CB Brice McCain (groin) and WR Lance Moore (groin) did not practice Friday and have been ruled out for Sunday’s opener against Cleveland. . WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder) and C Cody Wallace (finger) were limited Friday. Bryant is doubtful, while Wallace is questionable. . TE Matt Spaeth (hamstring), ILB Sean Spence (knee) and LS Greg Warren (knee) practiced all week and are probable.

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Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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