History of Joey Porter in Timeline

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 22, 1977: Joey Porter Sr. born

On March 22, 1977, Joseph Eugene Porter Sr. was born. He would later become an American professional football coach and former NFL player.

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.

August 31, 2003: Gunshot wound

On August 31, 2003, Joey Porter suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks as an innocent bystander outside of a Denver bar.

2003: Lowest sack total since 2003

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

2004: Gardocki incident and joining Steelers

From 2004 to 2006, Chris Gardocki and Joey Porter became teammates on the Steelers, despite an incident on September 17 where Porter tackled Gardocki, then the Browns punter, resulting in a fine for Gardocki.

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: Gardocki incident and joining Steelers

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.

March 28, 2010: Arrested on suspicion of DUI

On March 28, 2010, Joey Porter was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and assault on a California Highway Patrol officer, but all charges were later dropped.

2011: Limited play due to injury

In 2011, Joey Porter only played in six games due to injury, recording 16 tackles and one sack for the Arizona Cardinals.

July 2012: Accusation of punching

In July 2012, also in Las Vegas, Joey Porter was accused of punching Levi Jones outside a casino, resulting in a $141,176 fine from the NFL.

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.

December 24, 2012: Released from jail

On December 24, 2012, Joey Porter was freed from jail after three days for writing a bad check. He paid $70,000 to cover the check to the Hard Rock Casino for "casino markers" given to him in June and July 2012.

March 2013: Porter's mansion faces foreclosure

In March 2013, news reported that Joey Porter's South Florida mansion was facing foreclosure.

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 9, 2016: Incident during playoff game

On January 9, 2016, near the end of the Wild Card Playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Joey Porter was on the field during an injury timeout, which is not permitted for assistant coaches. He appeared to be arguing with Bengals players, receiving a push from Bengals cornerback Adam Jones, drawing a 15-yard penalty against Cincinnati. This incident resulted in a reported $10,000 fine by the NFL and the creation of a new NFL rule called the "Joey Porter Rule".

January 8, 2017: Porter arrested at Pittsburgh bar

On January 8, 2017, Joey Porter was arrested at The Flats On Southside, a bar in Pittsburgh, and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest, public drunkenness, and disorderly conduct.

January 9, 2017: Placed on administrative leave

On January 9, 2017, Joey Porter was placed on administrative leave after being arrested the day prior.

January 13, 2017: Reinstated to coaching staff

On January 13, 2017, Joey Porter was reinstated to the coaching staff after a subsequent investigation by the District Attorney dropped more serious charges and left him with only summary offenses.

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.