“We know [Harrison’s] teammates call him Silverback, but he’s tougher than us and we acknowledge that,” gorilla spokesman says
HIGHLAND PARK ---- The resident Silverback gorillas at the Pittsburgh Zoo have asked officials to begin referring to them as James Harrison gorillas, effective immediately. The change is in honor of the Steelers linebacker’s outstanding play this season.
HIGHLAND PARK ---- The resident Silverback gorillas at the Pittsburgh Zoo have asked officials to begin referring to them as James Harrison gorillas, effective immediately. The change is in honor of the Steelers linebacker’s outstanding play this season.
We’ve noticed what a monster season James is having,” alpha male Muba said today from his enclosure. “We [gorillas] usually live separately, but all the guys get together to watch the Steelers games. Any time James comes on the screen, there’s all kind of chest-beating and screeching. It gets pretty wild.”
Most fans first took notice of Harrison’s performance during the 38-7 win over Baltimore earlier in the season, but the gorillas have been watching him closely since the pre-season. “He’s been impressive all year, and he leads the team in sacks. He asked to play on kick coverage once things started going bad. Fixing the special teams all by himself may be beyond him, but he is the ultimate alpha male to us.”
Zoo officials said they will begin changing their signage and re-training the tour guides immediately. “When the gorillas speak, we listen,” spokeswoman Karenna Kern said. “And if James Harrison speaks, we’ll listen to him, too.”
The zoo’s gorillas hope Harrison will be with the Steelers for many years to come. “He’s been great for our image,” Muba said. “We haven’t had this much publicity since Gerela’s Gorillas were around.”
