Free Republic

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, July 30, 2008 – Even medical professionals need their medicine to remain healthy. Army Capt. James Hart, a physician assistant for the 10th Mountain Division’s Headquarters and Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, holds up a Terrible Towel in his office at a medical aid station on Camp Victory, Iraq. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michel Sauret, Multinational Division Center  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. For Army Capt. James Hart, the remedy is Pittsburgh Steelers football. “That’s my ‘keep-me-sane’ medicine,” said Hart, a physician assistant for the 10th Mountain Division’s Headquarters and Support Company,...

In Pennsylvania, McCain Tells a New Version of Heroic P.O.W. Story -- Subbing the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Green Bay Packers July 10, 2008 5:37 PMYesterday in Pittsburgh, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., professed his love for the Steelers to KDKA-TV. Watch HERE. Asked what first comes to his mind when he thinks of Pittsburgh, McCain chuckled, "the Steelers.  I was a mediocre high school athlete but I loved and adored the sports but the Steelers really made a huge impression on me particularly in my early years." And then McCain told a rather moving story about his time as a...

In his first sit-down interview with KDKA Political Editor Jon Delano, U.S. Sen. John McCain recounted how he would recite the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line-up to his North Vietnamese captors. ..."When I was first interrogated and really had to give some information because of the physical pressures that were on me, I named the starting lineup -- defensive line -- of the Pittsburgh Steelers as my squadron-mates!"

The storied Pittsburgh Steelers football franchise has been secretly shopped to potential buyers amid continuing divisions among the five sons of the team's founder, Art Rooney Sr. The talks affect not only one of America's iconic sports franchises, but one of its most fabled sports families. Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, who helped build the National Football League and is the oldest of the five sons, wants to consolidate his control by acquiring most of his brothers' shares in the Steelers over 10 years, those briefed on the talks said. In a statement1 Monday afternoon, Dan Rooney confirmed these efforts and...

Steely McBeam's reputation is now a bit tarnished. One of the men hired by the Steelers to play the mascot has been fired. Kenneth Hahey, 24, of Mt. Washington was charged with drunken driving after he was stopped in the South Side in January, according to Pittsburgh municipal court records. His blood alcohol level was .166, according to a police affidavit. Steelers spokesman David Lockett said Hahey has been "released from his duties."

Myron Cope, colorful sports broadcaster and reporter whose Terrible Towel remains the banner of the Steelers nation, has died. In declining health since even before his 2005 retirement after a record 35 years of Steelers broadcasts, Mr. Cope died this morning of respiratory failure at the Covenant at South Hills nursing home in Mt. Lebanon. He was 79. One of the last of the great sports characters, Mr. Cope's life and career were nothing less than book-worthy, even if he had to write it himself. Twice. "Double Yoi" it was called both times, the second an updated version of the...

A Look Back At The Life Of Myron Cope PITTSBURGH (KDKA) From the Terrible Towel to the memorable Pittsburgh sayings, Myron Cope is a legend in sports broadcasting, but today his distinctive voice was silenced. He was 79. And when it comes to colorful characters, Pittsburgh has produced none more unique than Cope. But before Cope ever graced the airwaves, he was celebrated for his outstanding writing and special features for Sports Illustrated and the Saturday Evening Post. He was a star in the world of sports writing, but otherwise an unknown. Then in 1968, a radio executive invited him...

A Look Back At The Life Of Myron Cope PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― From the Terrible Towel to the memorable Pittsburgh sayings, Myron Cope is a legend in sports broadcasting, but today his distinctive voice was silenced. He was 79. And when it comes to colorful characters, Pittsburgh has produced none more unique than Cope. But before Cope ever graced the airwaves, he was celebrated for his outstanding writing and special features for Sports Illustrated and the Saturday Evening Post. He was a star in the world of sports writing, but otherwise an unknown. Then in 1968, a radio executive invited...

It happened nearly two generations ago, but in the lore surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's forever fresh. Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris met with the Post-Gazette Friday to reminisce about his Immaculate Reception. It's the 35th anniversary of the catch that propelled the Steelers past the Oakland Raiders in a 1972 divisional playoff game and on toward the first of five Super Bowl victories..........

There ... I've said it.

I hardly ever watch Monday Night Football. Unless its a planned get-together with some buddies with chicken wings and beer.....every once in a while. I might usually have the game on, but never glued to the TV watching it. I do a quick recap the next day. But tonight there were 5 children in my house. (two more than usual)So, needless to say, I decided to retreat to my ManCave with a cooler full of beer and some Hooters takeout wings. What I witnessed was the worst game I have ever seen. The most boring game I have ever viewed...

I'm blacked out (so how can I be typing ? ..[just thought I'd put that in before someone else did])Is anyone watching?There's no live thread.

Dying prof tackles final dream -- the NFL By Allison M. Heinrichs TRIBUNE-REVIEW Thursday, October 4, 2007 It wasn't quite playing in the National Football League, but to Randy Pausch it was close enough. The Carnegie Mellon University professor who became a worldwide sensation last month after giving his "last lecture" about achieving childhood dreams, achieved his last dream on Wednesday: He practiced with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers have known for years their fan base included countless women - that was evidenced by all the pink official team jerseys they sell and the hundreds who attend their female training camp each summer. Now the Steelers have proof that, when it comes to building a female fan base, Pittsburgh does it better than any other NFL market. According to a Scarborough Sports Marketing survey of 220,354 residents in 75 United States markets conducted last year, Pittsburgh has, by far, the largest base of NFL fans who are women. Pittsburgh is the runaway leader, with 34 percent of...

Blogger says Steelers' Zierlein inadvertently forwarded porn to NFL officials Wednesday, May 23, 2007 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The Steelers confirmed yesterday that one of their employees sent an "inappropriate e-mail" message from the club office to "unintended recipients" last week, violating club and NFL policy. ProFootballTalk.com, an online blog written by Mike Florio, first reported that Steelers line coach Larry Zierlein inadvertently forwarded an e-mail he received from Doug Whaley, the Steelers' pro personnel coordinator, to multiple high-level team employees and their secretaries throughout the NFL, including commissioner Roger Goodell. Whaley, according to Florio, received the pornographic video...

PITTSBURGH -- A former linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers is facing charges after being arrested on Thursday. Richard Seigler was arraigned in Pittsburgh Night Court late Thursday, accused of having a role in a prostitution ring in his hometown of Las Vegas. The Allegheny County Sheriff's department arrested Seigler with a warrant issued by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police. Earlier in the day, the Steelers cut him from the team.

The Steelers announced today that they have narrowed their search for a head coach to three -- Russ Grimm, Mike Tomlin and Ron Rivera. Grimm is their assistant head coach and line coach. Tomlin is defensive coordinator of the Vikings and Rivera defensive coordinator of the Bears. Tomlin will have his second interview with the Steelers tomorrow. Grimm will be interviewed Wednesday. The Steelers cannot interview Rivera again until after the Bears either lose in the NFC championship game Sunday or until after the Feb. 4 Super Bowl. "We are pleased with the progress of our search to date,'' Steelers...

Steelers coach sure to trump the mayor By Eric Heyl TRIBUNE-REVIEW Sunday, January 14, 2007 One job was expected to attract a myriad of aspirants but has not. An initially short list to fill the other job has unexpectedly swelled. Now there are more candidates for the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coaching vacancy than there are for the Pittsburgh mayoral opening.

Are you from Da Burgh? If you don't know what I'm talking about, then the answer is probably "No". If you claim to know what "Da Burgh" is, then prove yourself by taking the "How Pittsburgh Are You" quiz. Even if you think you may have just a little "Pittsburgh" in you, then please try this quiz. Even if you've never been to this strange land, try the quiz anyway. It will bring you that much closer to understanding the fantastic foreign culture referred to by scholars as "Pittsburghese".

Steelers will begin search for successor immediately Bill Cowher, who led the Steelers to 10 playoff appearances, eight division titles and the fifth Super Bowl title in franchise history, will announce his resignation today after 15 seasons as head coach, sources have told the Post-Gazette. Cowher and his wife, Kaye, are scheduled to fly to Pittsburgh this morning to attend a 1 p.m. news conference at the team's South Side facility and announce the decision that has been expected for several weeks, if not longer -- that he will resign, at age 49, to spend more time with his family....

Cowher expected to leave Steelers after 15 seasons By Len Pasquarelli ESPN.com Operating on a timeline established during a Tuesday morning meeting with Steelers ownership, Bill Cowher will return to Pittsburgh next Monday to reveal plans for his NFL future. The consensus among high-ranking team officials, and sources around the NFL, is that Cowher will retire as coach of the Steelers after 15 seasons. In fact, it will be stunning if Cowher returns to the team to fulfill the final year of his current contract. The reason? Ostensibly to spend more time with his family. There has been rampant speculation...

The most telling thing lately is that Bill Cowher is discussing his future publicly. It's time. That's what Chuck Noll told me when I asked why he was retiring as Steelers coach in December 1991. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "It's time." Now it's Bill Cowher's time. I have the same feeling now as I had near the end of the 1991 season when I believed Noll was ready to hang it up. I think Cowher will "retire" soon after this season ends. First, here's some history on Noll's retirement, the only end to a head coach's career with...

Pittsburgh Steelers' linebacker Joey Porter was fined $10,000 by the NFL on Thursday for a gay slur he made towards Cleveland Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow after the game on Thursday. During the game, Winslow was flagged for a personal foul for hitting Steelers linebacker James Farrior after a play. In a post-game interview, Porter referred to Winslow with a derogatory word used to describe homosexuals. On Tuesday, Porter apologized, saying he didn't intend to offend anyone but Winslow. "I guess, how we used that word freely, me using it growing up, I didn't think anything of it," Porter said...

Jerome Bettis' father dies The father of former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis died today of an apparent heart attack while driving home after a workout at the gym, said Bettis' manager, Jahmal Dokes, a long-time family friend. John Bettis, 61, was found in his car by Bloomfield, Mich., police after he apparently pulled over while being stricken. Mr. Bettis, who retired last year after working 31 years as chief electrical inspector for the city of Detroit, attended nearly every Steelers game in which Jerome, the youngest of his three children, played. He is survived by his wife, Gladys, and...

Got the Steelers game wrong Sunday. I thought they'd lose, 30-0. Maybe you saw a hopeful and heroic fourth quarter in Cleveland the previous week, 21 points that alchemized a 24-20 victory; I saw a team that was so much like the Browns as to be barely distinguishable from them, barely above pathetic. That a twitching Steelers offense cowered -- or is it Cowhered? -- at the approach of Sunday's raucous Ravens beating wasn't terribly surprising, although it was a minor annoyance that Baltimore lost interest at 27-0. Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was just slightly wrong as well. "Pittsburgh...

On brink of another loss, Big Ben saves Steelers' season With a flick of his wrist, Ben Roethlisberger saved the Pittsburgh Steelers from a season-crushing loss. Roethlisberger shoveled a 4-yard touchdown pass to Willie Parker with 32 seconds left, rallying the Steelers to a 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns, who were minutes away from kicking the defending Super Bowl champions into the AFC North basement. Roethlisberger, intercepted three times in the first half, threw for 272 yards - 224 in the fourth quarter - as the Steelers (4-6) avoided a defeat that would have made it almost impossible to...

PITTSBURGH -- Investigators said two local college students of Middle Eastern descent were caught trying to break into Heinz Field overnight around 2:30 a.m. According to authorities, the two men tried to climb the walls around the stadium, but were caught on surveillance by two security guards who work at the field. Both men were taken into custody. State police, the local bomb squad and the FBI were all called to the scene. Authorities alerted every NFL team of the break-in attempt. The Steelers are set to take on the Denver Broncos today at 4:15 p.m. Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate...

Can we deport all our Hollyweird Losers in exhange for her? http://beccycole.com/albums/videos/poster_girl.shtml http://www.blackfive.net/main/2006/10/beccy_cole_post.html

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- As putrid as the Oakland Raiders were to start the season, they're now at least as good -- or is it bad? -- as the Super Bowl champs. Chris Carr returned an interception by Ben Roethlisberger 100 yards for a touchdown, Nnamdi Asomugha also took back an interception for a score and the Raiders mounted a late goal-line stand to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13 Sunday.

Official Website of the Pittsburgh Steelers This year is quickly moving in the wrong direction with regards to an effective playoff run. What are your thoughts on the some of the issues and how things need to change for a turnaround in 2006? Me? #1 The Running Game The running game isn't quite at the level of past teams. Understatement of the year, huh? Operating a historically ball control offense, without a featured back capable of providing a consistent 3-4 yrds per carry, is a problem. That void allows pass coverages more flexibility without fear of a Steeler running...

As Mournings After go, the one yesterday at Steelers headquarters wasn't all that depressing. The players reported to work, as always. There was the usual teasing and laughter. Sure, there were more complaints about the officiating in the 41-38 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons Sunday. Everyone was more convinced than ever after reviewing the game tape that referee Ron Winter blew it when he didn't call a helmet-to-helmet penalty when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in the third quarter, then made an even more grievous error on the final play of regulation when he called Steelers wide receiver Nate...

The man who yesterday managed a meager 26 yards on 15 carries. The man who would have been a complete non-factor if not for his little hair-pull with Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. "I'm not frustrated at all," Johnson said. "It's only the fifth game of the season." Later, there would be "the eight men in the box" excuse."That's what happens when you're good," Johnson said, shrugging.About the only thing the Chiefs could be proud of was a sensational effort Johnson made on a touchdown-saving play that ended with him pulling Polamalu down by the hair. It happened early in the...

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2006 Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are ranked as the No. 1 favorite National Football League (NFL) team among U.S. adults who follow pro football. Though the Steelers were in the top five last year, this is their first time at the top of this list since tracking began on this topic in 1998. The Dallas Cowboys remain at No. 2, a position they have held since 2004. Rounding out the top five are the Indianapolis Colts (No. 3, moving up five percentage points from last year's ranking), the Green Bay Packers...

Man's lost gnome attends Steelers game Thu Sep 21, 4:34 PM ET MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Allen Snyder's garden gnome is apparently out of jail and now traveling the country. The 14-inch tall red-and-white statue disappeared from Snyder's Morgantown yard in the spring, and Snyder has since received three letters claiming to have been written by "Gnomey." The latest letter, which Snyder received this week, included photos of the gnome in the company of Steelers fans attending Pittsburgh's football home opener. "You never took me to any games," the note said. The letter ended: "Have to go now. Boarding a plane....

Joey Porter's dogs get loose, kill miniature horse Charges could be filed by the end of the week over an incident Tuesday in which two dogs belonging to Steelers linebacker Joey Porter -- a pit bull and a mastiff -- got loose from Mr. Porter's Pine home and killed a miniature horse at a nearby farm. The dogs, named Tina and Nemo, were still in the corral with the dead horse when police arrived about 4:45 p.m., said Chief Bob Amann, of the Northern Regional Police Department. The department includes Pine, Marshall, Richland and Bradford Woods. The owners of the...

WPGB & Ellis Cannon are reporting Roethlisberger has a fever of 104 ...

After making a great play in his team's last game, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter came to the sidelines and kissed his coach, Bill Cowher, on the neck. Not to be outdone, after catching a pass in his team's last game, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens came to the sidelines and gently cupped one of coach Bill Parcell's sagging manboobs. It's not coach Parcell's fault. He didn't ask for manboobs. Manboobs happen. Sure, it's a great marketing slogan, but good luck getting grandpa to wear the t-shirt. There are few who are proud enough of their sagging manboobs to...

PITTSBURGH -- On a day when this city experienced the confluence of grieving and glory, burying a popular mayor in the morning and then having to turn out to support its beloved Super Bowl champions just a few hours later, it was left to a Pittsburgh Guy to turn tears into cheers. OK, so Steelers backup Charlie Batch isn't really from Pittsburgh. But Homestead, Pa., just a short drive across his city's locally well-known High Level Bridge, a span that once carried thousands of steel workers to their sooty jobs in the blast furnaces and to a livelihood in a...

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed two big plays from unlikely sources to pull out a season-opening victory behind their backup quarterback. Maybe Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban should be flagged for a costly delay, too. Tight end Heath Miller chugged his way down the Steelers' sideline on an 87-yard touchdown pass play midway through the fourth quarter, fill-in QB Charlie Batch's third scoring pass of the game, and the Super Bowl champions beat the Dolphins 28-17 Thursday night in the NFL's first game of the season. Only Miller didn't really score — TV replays clearly showed him stepping out between the...

Roethlisberger has emergency appendectomy, to miss opener By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports Writer September 3, 2006 PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had an emergency appendectomy after becoming ill before practice Sunday and will miss Thursday night's season opener against Miami. Coach Bill Cowher said Roethlisberger will be evaluated each week, and he is not certain how long the quarterback will be out. ADVERTISEMENT Charlie Batch, the former Lions starter who was 2-0 as a fill-in last season when Roethlisberger hurt his knee, will start against the Dolphins in the NFL's first game of the season. The appendix...

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH Sources tell KDKA that Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had surgery. KDKA has learned he had an appendectomy. Roethlisberger was absent from today’s practice. Coach Bill Cowher is holding a press conference at 6pm. Tune into KDKA-TV News at 6:30pm and stay with KDKA.com for the latest on this developing story (© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH It's the news people in Pittsburgh and beyond have been dreading; this afternoon, Dick Skrinjar announced that Mayor Bob O'Connor has passed away. O'Connor had been hospitalized since July 10th after learning that he suffered from a rare form of cancer called primary central nervous system lymphoma. On Monday, doctors downgraded the mayor's condition after revealing that brain scans showed "seizure activity" and tests indicated an infection in his spinal fluid. The hospital stopped issuing updates on Mayor O'Connor's condition on Tuesday, which fueled rumors and speculation about his deteriorating condition. Sources told KDKA late Wednesday night that...

Welcome to The Pulse, the place to find out what the sports world is thinking. Every day on ESPN.com, SportsNation registers its opinion on a wide range of topics by casting votes and chatting with experts in The Show. We collect the daily highlights and put them in The Pulse. Story of the Day: Super Bore Bill Leavy wasn't the only unhappy viewer. Upon further review, SportsNation finds insufficient reason to get excited about the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl XL in Detroit on Sunday. By beating the Seattle Seahawks 21-10, the Steelers gave Jerome Bettis the perfect parting gift...

Former Pittsburgh Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope was involved in a multicar fender-bender on the Parkway West, state police said. The crash happened a little after 11:30 a.m. Friday in the inbound lanes near Banksville Road as traffic was approaching the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Cope's rented Ford Explorer was one of five vehicles involved in the wreck. Police said all drivers had their seat belts on and nobody was injured.

I dreamed, the other night, that the Pittsburgh Steelers had been sold to Steve Wynn and would be playing football in a new, $3 billion domed stadium that externally resembled the Roman Pantheon. Their new cheerleaders, the Vestal Virgins, were so saucy that only night broadcasts would televise their routines. During halftime, faux gladiatorial combats were staged and the winner was granted his freedom by the great emperor, Elvis Impersonatorus. The legions of muted fans sipped on mocha lattes and watched the world's largest keno board between plays. Moreover, as a paean to the great city they now represented, Las...

BRISTOL, Conn. - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday night that he was told he was "seconds, maybe a minute away from dying" immediately after his motorcycle accident last month. Roethlisberger, in his first interview since the June 12 accident, told ESPN's "SportsCenter" that he doesn't remember much about the accident when he rammed his motorcycle into a car that was making a left turn in front of him on a Pittsburgh street. He did, however, remember what he was told by people at the scene. "They told me that I was literally seconds, maybe a minute away from...

Fan Fest First Impressions Posted July 7, 2006 3 :57 PM Missouri, Arkansas, Maine, New York, Illinois, were just a few of the wide array of states' license plates that I saw while pulling up to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. When I finally found a parking lot that wasn’t filled to the max, I headed to FanFest. It became difficult to navigate my way through the overcrowded sidewalks. When I did arrive at the entryway, the underpass of the Convention Center was brimming with laughter, excitement and children running around anxiously awaiting their admission.

Swann asks Rendell to switch jobs By Michael Miller LEADER TIMES Friday, July 7, 2006 Lynn Swann wants to trade jobs with Gov. Ed Rendell. Swann, who worked for ABC sports for 28 years, told a crowd of supporters in Kittanning yesterday that he's looking to become the next governor, and that the governor can become a full-time broadcaster. Rendell has a side gig as a commentator for a cable network covering the Philadelphia Eagles. "Come November, vote for me for governor, and make him the broadcaster full-time," Swann said. The Republican candidate for governor spoke to a small crowd...

This is not a reposting of a specific Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article though parts of it and another article will be quoted here and links provided to the originals. By now most of you know the details of Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident on Monday June 12 2006. However there are some crucial facts about this incident that have been buried in the media's coverage. The bulk of the reporting has dealt with Roethlisberger's decision to (legally, mind you) not wear a helmet while operating his motorcycle. And there has been plenty of mention of his choice of bikes, the...

Police: Santonio Holmes charged with domestic violence Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio - Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes was charged with domestic violence early Monday in his second arrest since being selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Holmes was arrested at an apartment just after midnight and taken to Franklin County Jail, Sgt. Loucious Hollis said. Holmes' first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday morning, a jail officer said. Hollis confirmed the domestic violence charge against Holmes but said he couldn't reveal who made the complaint or provide details of the allegation. ...(snip for excerpt)