No Longer a Steelers Fan!
I don't blog about sports,
mostly because my insights are usually pretty conventional and not likely to be of interest to most people. But I do think about sports. I love my Red Sox (pause while Yankees fans unbunch their panties). But the team that made me a sports fan in the first place is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ever since Franco Harris' rookie season (1972), I have been a rabid Steeler fan. Sadly, no longer.
Non-NFL followers are perhaps unaware of recent football-related events in the Steel City. Most recently,wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was released by the team after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend. And linebacker James Harrison was arraigned in court earlier this month for striking his girlfriend, with whom he has an infant son.
There seems to be too much of this sort of thing going on in my home town, but that's not what has soured me on the team as a whole. The cases themselves are enough to turn me against either player individually, but what chaps my ass about the team is the head man, the big kahuna, the top dog himself: team President Dan Rooney.
There seems to be too much of this sort of thing going on in my home town, but that's not what has soured me on the team as a whole. The cases themselves are enough to turn me against either player individually, but what chaps my ass about the team is the head man, the big kahuna, the top dog himself: team President Dan Rooney.
On March 8, Harrison was charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Beth Tibbot, in her Ohio Township home. According to a police affadavit, Harrison broke down a door, broke Tibbot's cell phone in half as she attempted to call 911, then slapped her face with an open hand, knocking off her glasses. He was charged with simple assault and criminal mischief and faces an April 3 preliminary hearing before a magistrate in Bellevue [PA].
When asked to comment on the case, Rooney replied:
"What Jimmy Harrison was doing and how the incident occurred, what he was trying to do was really well worth it. He was doing something that was good, wanted to take his son to get baptized where he lived and things like that. She said she didn't want to do it."
The Steelers' damage control squad moved in last week to put out the fire caused by Rooney's ridiculous remarks. From the team's web site:
Dan Rooney Statement Regarding His Comments About Player Conduct
To clarify the comments made earlier regarding the conduct of our players, in no way do we condone domestic violence of any kind. Each incident must be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the situation with James Harrison, he contacted us immediately after his incident and has taken responsibility for his actions. In today's decision with Cedrick Wilson, we determined the situation was severe enough to warrant the player being released immediately. We trust that today's roster move will indicate our intentions and send a message that we will not tolerate this type of conduct.
That last line is a hoot, isn't it?. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior, unless of course, like Mr. Harrison, the perpetrator has the second most tackles and third most assists on the team. Then his actions would be"well worth it."
This statement has prompted me to send a letter I never thought I would write. My email to the team web site today read like this:
To Whom It May Concern:
As a lifelong Steelers fan, I am shocked and appalled at the callous, simple-minded and possibly criminal justification represented by Dan Rooney’s statement regarding the incident of alleged domestic violence by James Harrison. Mr. Rooney’s comments indicate a poor understanding of the justifications for violence of any type, let alone violence against women. Apparently, Mr. Rooney is under the impression that Jesus would understand an NFL linebacker striking a woman if his purpose was to bring about the baptism of an infant.
I can only suppose that Mr. Rooney has spent too many Sundays with the team in recent years, and is thus a little rusty on the teachings of his—or any—church with regard to linebackers beating up women.
The reputation of the Steelers organization has been severely damaged in my opinion, perhaps irreparably so. Mr. Harrison will have his day in court, and I expect justice will be done, but I cannot forgive Mr. Rooney as President of the team for what he has done to my perception of the team that I grew up with and have loved and supported for nearly fifty years.Exactly what is the "it" that Mr. Rooney is referring to when he says Harrison's actions were "well worth it"? Does he seriously believe that being thwarted in his intention to baptize a baby is sufficient reason for a 240 lb. man to strike a woman? "Well worth it?"
Perhaps Mr. Rooney can make it up to Ms. Tibbet with an invitation to the Mothers Day Brunch the Steelers are hosting on May 11. The team web site promises "Gifts for all mothers in attendance." I trust Mr. Harrison will not be distributing them.
NOTE: As of publication date, I have not yet received any response to my letter to the team. Perhaps they don't think it was "well worth it."
Comments