Logo

Steelers Rocked: NFL's Most Sought-After Cheerleader Files Lawsuit Against Player Once Hailed as "Future MVP" for Harassment — Case Forces Entire League to Confront Accountability Crisis

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – December 26, 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a seismic off-field crisis after Grace Kramer — one of the most visible and widely recognized members of the team’s cheerleading squad — formally filed a lawsuit against offensive tackle Jake Harlan, a player once internally viewed as a cornerstone and even a potential “future MVP,” accusing him of months-long harassment.

According to court filings, the situation began with personal messages Kramer initially interpreted as casual and nonthreatening. Over time, however, the alleged conduct escalated into late-night phone calls, repeated messages, and persistent attempts to arrange private meetings. The lawsuit characterizes the behavior not as a momentary lapse, but as a repeated pattern that gradually eroded Kramer’s sense of safety within her own workplace.

Steelers Camp Takeaways: Justin Fields Keeps Getting Better

In her statement to the court, Kramer — a former Clemson Rally Cats cheerleader, Wake Forest graduate, and a familiar public ambassador for the Steelers at community events — delivered a concise but emotionally charged account of the toll the situation took on her:

“I entered this environment with the sole intention of working and building my career,” Kramer said. “But the late-night calls and the unwanted pursuit slowly began to suffocate my life. There were nights I couldn’t sleep — not because of job pressure, but because my sense of personal safety had been violated.”

Sources close to the situation indicate that Kramer’s high-profile role — frequently engaging with fans, sponsors, and media — may have made her particularly vulnerable. The lawsuit further alleges that Harlan approached her at multiple team-related events, intensifying feelings of fear and emotional strain.

Harlan, who has been married since 2022 and has a young child, reportedly had his alleged behavior discovered by family members only after the situation escalated, triggering significant turmoil in his personal life. Amid growing public scrutiny, the Steelers have temporarily suspended Harlan while conducting an internal investigation and are coordinating with the National Football League, which is closely monitoring the case.

Reaction among Steelers fans has been sharply divided. Many have voiced strong support for Kramer, praising her decision to come forward, while others have urged caution and called for due process before drawing conclusions. To league observers, however, the implications extend far beyond a single franchise or individual.

At its core, the case forces a broader and unavoidable question onto the NFL’s doorstep: have teams done enough to protect cheerleaders and staff members from harassment behind the scenes of professional football? How the Steelers handle the situation — and how the courts ultimately rule — could become a defining moment in shaping accountability and workplace safety standards across the league.

8 views
Green Bay Packers Cancel $100K Field Goal Challenge Invite For Superfan Honoring Her Late Father - a lifelong Packers fan
Green Bay, Wisconsin – December 27, 2025 What was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for a devoted fan has turned into another painful chapter — this time at Green Bay Packers headquarters. Just days before the Packers’ Week 17 home finale against the Baltimore Ravens at Lambeau Field, the team canceled a $100,000 halftime “Kick for Cash” field goal challenge invite that had already been earned by a longtime Packers superfan. The fan, a Wisconsin native and season ticket holder, had qualified for the contest earlier this fall after successfully converting a long-distance kick during a team-sponsored event. She was set to attempt the kick during Saturday night’s nationally anticipated matchup — the Packers’ final home game of the 2025 regular season. For her, the moment carried meaning far beyond football. She attends Packers games to honor her late father, a lifelong Green Bay supporter who passed away several years ago after a long illness. Family members say the chance to step onto Lambeau Field was meant to be a tribute — a shared dream she and her father once talked about. “This wasn’t just about the money,” she told local media. “This was about my dad. This was about doing something in his memory, in the place that meant everything to him.” According to the Packers, the decision to revoke the invitation was made after a late review of contest eligibility rules. Team policy restricts participation by individuals with recent experience playing or coaching organized football or soccer at certain levels. The fan currently serves as a high school girls’ soccer coach — a detail she says was never flagged during the initial vetting process. She claims the Packers only asked about her playing background, not her coaching role, until days before kickoff. By then, family members had already purchased travel and game tickets to witness the moment. The organization released a brief statement saying the decision was made “in accordance with competition rules and regulations” and confirmed that an alternative benefit would be offered, along with a charitable donation in her father’s name. The fan says the gesture misses the point. “At Lambeau, moments matter,” she said. “This one was taken away.” The timing has only amplified the backlash. The Packers are closing out their home slate in a critical late-season matchup, with emotions already running high among fans. Instead of a feel-good halftime moment, the story has sparked frustration and disappointment across social media. Several family members reportedly sold their tickets in protest. The fan herself will not attend the game — her first missed Packers home game in years. In a place where tradition, loyalty, and family legacy define the franchise, the canceled contest has struck a nerve. For many in Packers Nation, it wasn’t just a rules decision. It was a reminder that even at Lambeau Field — where memories are supposed to last forever — some moments still slip away.