Another Overblown Steelers Story

While I will admit that the Pittsburgh Steelers have had far too many public relations troubles in recent years, people, particularly the media, are making a big deal out of the most ridiculous events.

First, people made Ben Roethlisberger out to be a rapist. Big Ben was a narcissistic goon that needed to grow up, but far from a rapist. We all know that the claims were false, but the media had a field day with that.
For those who don't know me personally, let's just say if I saw either accuser on fire, I wouldn't piss on them to put it out.

Then, Rashard Mendenhall infamously tweeted that people shouldn't cheer the death of Osama bin Laden. The guy had a valid point and people made him out to be a terrorist supporter. It wasn't the brightest thing to do, but hey, maybe he was juiced out of his mind that day.

Now, we have the Men's Journal article for the ages that everyone is talking about and has put the Steelers right back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons... and it shouldn't. Here's why:

1. James Harrison hates commissioner Roger Goodell? That's news to me... "All he did was say what other players won't. Numerous players are blessing James Harrison right now." That's a paraphrased quote from the article's author Paul Solotaraf which you could hear on the Wednesday edition of "NFL Live" on ESPN. So Harrison went a little overboard with his remarks. Big deal. He only said what we wish we could about our own bosses.

2. The "Hit Man" cover on the story laid quite a bit of criticism on Harrison as well because he posed with guns. Personally, I thought it was a clever touch on the article but, again, Men's Journal wanted to make Harrison look like a villain. The picture and article did what Men's Journal wanted it to. It got people talking.

3. I think James Harrison is a little dramatic at times and maybe he can say some stupid things, specifically when he was talking retirement after receiving yet another fine last season. However, I believe him when he says his comments towards Ben Roethlisberger were taken out of context. After reading the article for myself, it appeared to me that the author was trying to paint Harrison in a light that would make him seem like a tell-it-like-it-is type of person which we know Harrison is. However, those comments could have been said in jest much like you or I may make fun of one of our own friends. All the author forgot, or more likely omitted, was the LOL at the end.

4. Those who make a big deal out of the gay slur James made towards Goodell are absolutely ridiculous. The oversensitive world we live in is annoying, to put it nicely. While there are other choices of insults to use, we've all called someone or something gay or faggot with a negative connotation attached. Who cares? If Harrison would've called Goodell a "no good cracker" I wouldn't have even batted an eye. The television show "South Park" actually nailed it down to a science in the episode titled Cartoon Wars: Part One. Here's the quote from one of the show's main characters Eric Cartman:

It's simple television economics, Kyle. All it takes to kill a show forever is get one episode pulled. If we convince the network to pull this episode for the sake of Muslims, then the Catholics can demand a show they don't like get pulled. And then people with disabilities can demand another show get pulled. 

This theory works exactly the same for all groups of people in real world situations. The more you allow these groups to complain, the bigger the story will become. Harrison's comments got him, unfortunately, swooped up into this nonsense and caused an even bigger media stir than he already made it. Let me just clarify that I have no problem with homosexuals whatsoever, but if you are offended that James Harrison called someone a faggot, that's really gay of you.

I don't what the fascination is with uninteresting (or untrue) Steelers' stories are, but I'm through with this one.

So how about that USA Women's Soccer Team?


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