Damage control is the next step for Steelers
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Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and former wide receiver Santonio Holmes.
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In storied Steelers franchise history, Dec. 23, 1972, is the most celebrated date.
Perhaps April 12, 2010, might go down as its most deprecated.
From the brightness of the Immaculate Reception to their darkest day since maybe 1973, when troubled Ernie Holmes shot at a police helicopter and wounded a cop while being chased.
In one day of infamy:
• Two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed gratitude that the local district attorney announced he will not file charges involving a March 5 incident in Milledgeville, Ga.
• Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes was traded to the New York Jets -- for a fifth-round draft choice -- barely 14 hours before it was announced that he would be suspended for four games next season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
• Place-kicker Jeff Reed, appearing in Municipal Court, Downtown, Monday, listened as a city magistrate dismissed the remaining two of his four original charges -- disorderly conduct and public drunkenness -- after he completed 40 hours of community service with the Salvation Army.
"America is a forgiving society," said Mike Logan, a former Steeler and now a sports-talk radio co-host. He said callers and e-mailers overwhelmed WEAE-AM Monday afternoon, with an 8-to-1 ratio against Roethlisberger, even moments after he was effectively cleared. "But when you're in the thick of it, they want to see how you react, they want to see how you respond. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a reputation as a straight-laced organization. With all that's gone on this offseason, people are starting to doubt that. ... There needs to be some damage control done."
"You almost think there has to be [punishment levied] to protect their brand," added John Clark, an associate professor with Robert Morris University's sports-management program. "A lot of fans want to see some action taken against Roethlisberger so they don't see this stuff happen. It's an unenviable position for the Rooneys, because they really can't win this one. But they're certainly within their rights to do what they have to do to protect their image in this marketplace and around the world."
First Published April 13, 2010 12:00 am
