Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joey Porter

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 17, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Joey Porter made an impact.

Joey Porter Sr. is a former NFL linebacker and current football coach. He played college football at Colorado State before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1999. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals during his NFL career. His son, Joey Porter Jr., was drafted by the Steelers in 2023.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1997: Greg Lloyd released

In 1997, Steelers linebacker Greg Lloyd was released, after which Porter wore number 95 during the preseason.

1999: First Career Sack

During the 1999 season, Joey Porter excelled on special teams and increased his time on defense. On September 12, 1999, he achieved his first career sack against Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch and also forced a fumble. Later, on December 2, 1999, he partially deflected a punt against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the season finale against the Tennessee Titans, Porter had six tackles, a sack, forced and recovered a fumble from Neil O'Donnell, and returned it 46 yards for a score.

1999: Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1999, Joey Porter was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the NFL draft.

1999: Drafted into NFL

In 1999, Joey Porter was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (73rd overall) of the NFL draft, becoming the eighth linebacker drafted that year.

2000: Career-high sacks

In 2000, Joey Porter set a career-high with 10.5 sacks, finishing second behind Jason Gildon. Together, they tied a franchise record with 24 sacks as a duo. He had 74 tackles, one interception, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Porter was voted the AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October 2000. He registered eight tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals on October 15, 2000. He also recorded five tackles and two sacks against the Baltimore Ravens. Porter's first career interception was against the Tennessee Titans on November 5, 2000, and his second career touchdown came on a 32-yard fumble recovery against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 12, 2000. He ended the season with 1.5 sacks against the San Diego Chargers on December 24, 2000.

October 21, 2001: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

On October 21, 2001, Joey Porter had a career day against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recording six tackles, four sacks, and a pass deflected, earning him American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week honors.

2002: Selected to first Pro Bowl

In 2002, Joey Porter recorded nine sacks and set career highs in tackles (88), interceptions (4), and interception return yards (153). He was then selected to his first Pro Bowl following the season.

2003: Lowest sack total since 2003

In 2007, Joey Porter recorded 5.5 sacks, which was his lowest total since 2003.

2004: Second Pro Bowl selection

In 2004, Joey Porter bounced back with the second Pro Bowl selection of his career. On October 31, 2004, in a win against the New England Patriots, he recorded four tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles, earning him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. He finished the year with 53 tackles, seven sacks, and an interception.

2005: Super Bowl XL victory

In 2005, Joey Porter had one of his best years, culminating in a Super Bowl XL victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He was named to the third Pro Bowl of his career. He tied a career-high with 10.5 sacks and added 56 tackles, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles.

2006: Played opposite Defensive Player of the Year

In 2007, after being signed by the Dolphins, Joey Porter played opposite Jason Taylor, the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner.

March 1, 2007: Released by Steelers

On March 1, 2007, Joey Porter was released by the Steelers due to salary cap issues under new head coach Mike Tomlin.

March 8, 2007: Signed by the Dolphins

On March 8, 2007, Joey Porter officially signed with the Miami Dolphins, receiving a five-year deal worth approximately $32 million, including a $12 million signing bonus and $8 million in guaranteed money. He was named the starting strongside linebacker.

2007: Improvement in team's record

In 2008, Joey Porter helped the Miami Dolphins improve from a 1-15 record in 2007 to an 11-5 AFC East champion team.

2008: Career-high sacks

The 2008 season saw Joey Porter have a rejuvenated return to form, leading the AFC and finishing second in the NFL with a career-high 17.5 sacks. He was named to his fourth Pro Bowl and was named Second-team All-Pro.

2009: Named team captain

In 2009, Joey Porter was named a team captain for the Miami Dolphins. He was also considered one of the dirtiest defensive players in the league in a poll of NFL players. During Week 9, he faced criticism after calling out New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and leaving the game.

March 5, 2010: Released by Dolphins

On March 5, 2010, Joey Porter was released by the Miami Dolphins after being suspended for one game the previous week.

March 19, 2010: Signed with Arizona Cardinals

On March 19, 2010, Joey Porter signed a three-year, $24.5 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, with $17.5 million in guaranteed money.

July 19, 2012: Announced retirement

On July 19, 2012, Joey Porter announced that he would retire from the NFL.

August 3, 2012: Retired as a Pittsburgh Steeler

On August 3, 2012, Joey Porter officially retired as a Pittsburgh Steeler during the evening festivities of the Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

July 31, 2013: Joined Colorado State coaching staff

On July 31, 2013, it was announced that Joey Porter would join the Colorado State coaching staff as a defensive assistant and would also finish his degree.

2014: Defensive assistant

In 2014, Joey Porter served as a defensive assistant under former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

February 2015: Promoted to outside linebackers coach

In February 2015, Joey Porter was promoted to outside linebackers coach under new defensive coordinator, Keith Butler.

January 15, 2017: Resumed coaching duties

On January 15, 2017, Joey Porter resumed his coaching duties in the Steelers' 18–16 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoff game.

January 2019: Fired by the Steelers

In January 2019, Joey Porter was fired by the Steelers after his fourth season as the team's outside linebackers coach.

September 13, 2022: Hired by San Antonio Brahmas

On September 13, 2022, Joey Porter was officially hired by the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL, where his former teammate Hines Ward was the head coach.