BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - Fourteen years later, the Patriots are still pissed at Freddie Mitchell.
Rodney Harrison, who Mitchell dissed before Super Bowl XXXIX, told NBC Sports Philadelphia Tuesday that without Mitchell, the Patriots wouldn't have beaten the Eagles that day.
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"Thank you, Freddie Mitchell," said Harrison, who is part of the NBC Sports Super Bowl broadcast team.
"Without you running your mouth, we wouldn't have won the Super Bowl."
Mitchell was quick to fire back on Twitter.
It was in a couple days before the Eagles and Patriots traveled to Jacksonville that Mitchell infuriated the Patriots by pretending he didn't know the names of any of the Patriots' defensive backs and then saying "I got something for you, Harrison."
Harrison was a three-time Pro Bowl strong safety and two-time all-pro for the Chargers and Patriots in a 15-year career spanning 1994 through 2008.
Mitchell was the Eagles' first-round pick in 2001 but caught just 90 passes for 1,263 yards and five touchdowns in a four-year career.
Harrison lashed out at Mitchell Super Bowl week in 2004, telling reporters: "You have so many young guys nowadays, so many young guys that don't have respect for the game. Some people are just immature. Some people really haven't experienced certain things."
The Harrison-Mitchell feud became a running storyline in Jacksonville during Super Bowl week. Mitchell claimed he was joking but the damage had been done.
Head coach Andy Reid blasted Mitchell during a team meeting after he learned about the wide receiver's remarks.
A few days later, Mitchell blasted the team's public relations director because he wasn't given his own podium at Super Bowl Media Day, a designation that goes to the team's best players. Instead, Mitchell was assigned a spot in the bleachers.
The Patriots beat the Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX at ALLTEL Stadium. The two teams meet again Sunday in Minnesota in Super Bowl LII.
Harrison had two interceptions and a sack in the game and is one of only four players in Super Bowl history with a sack and interception in the same game.
Mitchell caught one pass for 11 yards.
A few days after the game, Mitchell went on ESPN radio and said the only reason his numbers were down was because Terrell Owens returned after missing the first two playoff games with a broken ankle.
"I couldn't shut a lot of people up that I wanted to shut up," Mitchell said.
He never played another game.
