Harrison isn't crying himself to sleep over Pitt's pique

Maurkice Pouncey stood by Aaron Hernandez after the now-dead Patriots tight end was arrested for murder in 2013 and remained a loyal friend until Hernandez committed suicide in May. This week, Pouncey ratted out James Harrison quicker than Henry Hill worked the courtroom in the penultimate scene of “Goodfellas.”

It’s not like Harrison killed anyone. But leaving the Steelers, embarrassing the coaching staff — which takes a lot given that fake spike/goal-line interception fiasco two weeks ago — and landing in New England is a capital offense in the Steel City.

Pouncey has been touted by anyone with a website or microphone in Pittsburgh as a beacon of truth and justice. Pouncey, along with Bud Dupree, were the loudest voices in Pittsburgh trashing Harrison after the 39-year-old, last football Jedi signed with the Patriots.

“He erased his own legacy,” Pouncey said. “If you didn’t want to be here, come out and say it. Don’t make it look like it’s the team’s fault. ... You think the team and the organization wanted to get rid of James Harrison? Come on.”

He later added this gem: “We’re going to speak the truth.” #FreeHernandez.

That Harrison is being ripped by his former teammates and jersey-burning Pittsburgh fans is neither surprising nor unique to Pittsburgh.

Patriots fans booed Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri for years. Johnny Damon went from “Jesus” to “Judas” after he landed in the Bronx. Red Sox State Run Media chewed up and spit out Terry Francona after he left. Roger Clemens was in the “twilight of his career” — then won four Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings postBoston.

What makes the Harrison case unique is the immediacy and openness of his former teammates’ criticism.

Pittsburgh needn’t worry about the Patriots stealing secrets. Harrison apparently never paid much attention in meetings. And Bill Belichick already knows more about the Steelers than the Steelers do.

And any misbehavior in a previous life matters not to Yoda Belichick. He has been there and won that with plenty of other players.

Harrison’s record of success, his Instagram post noting Brady’s age seniority, and Pittsburgh’s pique have helped him win over New England’s chilled masses. Bill Speros (aka Obnoxious Boston Fan) tweets @RealOBF and can be reached at bsperos1@gmail. com.