I have been a die hard Steeler fan since 1955 when, at the age of 10, I saw them play the LA Rams in the Memorial Colosseum. Back in those days, the Steelers were the doormats of the NFL and had not won anything-even a divisional championship- since their inception in 1933.
Things continued that way until the early 1970s when the team put together the great Steeler teams that won four super bowls in six years. They have won two since and have been a consistent winner. Since 1969, they have had only three head coaches, Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin, the current coach.
Today, the Steelers are one of the most successful franchises in the NFL, run continuously by the Rooney family. They are an important part of the city of Pittsburgh, and with a few exceptions, the franchise has been run with class. The Steelers have usually recognized that they have a responsibility to the city not to bring bad actors into the community. There have been exceptions to that, of course, just given the nature of the sport.
Last year, with all the hubbub over kneeling for the National Anthem, I got very upset with the team when they chose to remain in the locker room at Chicago's Soldier Field. Only Alejandro Villanueva, a West Point grad and decorated combat veteran came out. For that, he was thrown under the bus by Coach Tomlin, someone I had previously admired. In contrast, after the synagogue attack in Pittsburgh, the team made me proud when they adopted a Star of David on their logo with the slogan, "Stronger than hate". I have purchased such a t-shirt.
But I have to tell you, the antics of Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown this year have left a sour taste in my mouth and questioning why we fans should invest so much love and emotion in our sports teams.
Le'veon Bell, considered one of the best running backs in the game, chose to sit out this year rather than sign a franchise contract for one year before he would become a free agent. The previous year, he sat out the first three games for the same reason. This year, he just never showed up. I know all the arguments that his supporters make about not wanting to risk an injury before his big payday, but his antics of making the team think he was about to report several times this year were atrocious. Also lost in this whole discussion is that here is a player who has served two drug suspensions. You would think he owed more to his teammates and fans.
Now comes Antonio Brown, who until a day ago, we thought sat out the final game with a knee injury. Not the case, however. Apparently, he failed to show up for practice and team meetings during the week. Tomlin appropriately benched him when he showed up to play what turned out to be the Steelers' final game as they were eliminated from the playoffs. He reportedly left during halftime. Rumors of a feud with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have surfaced (which Roethlisberger denies), and now Brown wants to be traded. He caught over 100 passes this year, but apparently thinks he doesn't get the ball enough.
Ex-Steeler teammate Ryan Clark has publicly criticized Brown for his selfish, prima donna attitude and said that the team should definitely trade him. In reply, Brown has called Clark an "Uncle Tom", a despicable insult that says more about Brown than he could ever say about Clark.
I say trade Brown for whatever they can get for him. As for Bell, I never want to see him in a Steeler jersey again. I can forgive the team for blowing the divisional crown and the playoffs with a series of inexplicable losses. I do not forgive the behavior of these admittedly great players who are jerks who care more about themselves than their team. If the team has to endure losing for the next few seasons, so be it.
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