Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Charles Barkley displays an interesting swing style as he tees off on the eighth hole at the Mellon Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational. Click photo for larger image.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took some hard shots at the Mellon Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational yesterday that had nothing to do with football or golf.

Heavyweight television commentators and former star athletes Joe Theismann and Charles Barkley teed off on Roethlisberger after completing their first round of the 54-hole tournament at The Club at Nevillewood.

The helmet controversy just won't seem to die for Roethlisberger, who doesn't wear a helmet when he rides his motorcycle.

Barkley and Theismann, often willing to comment on issues, took some shots at Roethlisberger.

"I think a jock who rides a motorcycle is stupid," said Barkley, among the NBA's all-time top 50 players. "A jock who's playing today, to ride a motorcycle is flat-out stupid. Period. Whether you're wearing a helmet or not."

Barkley then added, "I don't know him really well, but he seems like a nice kid. I can tell him it only gets harder."

Theismann, who won a Super Bowl as quarterback of the Washington Redskins, continued the rant. "He's looking at 100 million dollars worth of a playing career. I don't like the chance of putting yourself in harm's way when your body is your future."

After a pause, he offered Big Ben some advice: "Ben, get rid of the bike until you get real old."

Roethlisberger fared a little better on the course, shooting an 85 that was worth plus-2 points in the modified Stableford scoring system being used.

Best of Barkley

On shooting a 99 that was the highest score in the field: "I'm not a very good golfer. People here are supportive, yelling, 'Way to go' after one of my shots. I'm not used to that. I'm from Philadelphia. I drink beer, smoke cigars and play for fun."

On a recent trip to Iraq with a USO troupe: "It gave me a different perspective on life, in general. I'm not ever going to bitch about my cable going out."

On whether LeBron James will be better than Michael Jordan: "Are you crazy? What are you drinking? Sports Illustrated put LeBron on the cover and asked if he's the best ever. I just made up a new rule. You have to make the playoffs before we can say you're the best ever."

On the NBA's new minimum-age rule of 19: "They should have made it at least 20."

On Phil Jackson's return to coach Kobe Bryant and the Lakers next season: "If they want it to work, it will work. If they don't, it won't. Everybody has to be on the same page. Pat Riley called it voluntary cooperation. You can't tell a grown man what to do."

Theismann thoughts

On a big reason for New England's success: "The stability of their coaching staff and the players on the team have established a standard for themselves. If there's a problem, they'll handle it. The Patriots have a set of rules. If you don't follow them they don't need you."

On why he's not picking New England to get back to the Super Bowl: "They're going to miss Charlie Weis [offensive coordinator left to become the coach at Notre Dame]. ... This is the first time in four years I'm not picking them."

On his choice from the AFC: "I'll go on record to say the Steelers are the team that can represent the AFC in the Super Bowl."

On Joe Walton, the Robert Morris coach who was offensive coordinator when he played for the Redskins: "I owe everything I am, from a football perspective, to Joe Walton. He made me the football player I was. He's a surrogate dad to me and my best friend. He's a most special guy."

Tournament tidbits

Four-time tournament winner Rick Rhoden had 26 points for a one-point lead after the first round. Shane Rawley was second with 25, followed by Mark Rypien , Bernie Nicholls and defending champion Pierre Larouche at 24. ... The long drive contest will be at No. 10 today at 4 p.m. ... Children 12 and under with a junior gallery ticket are admitted to a kids-only autograph area near the 18th green.