Thoughts of a Dying Steelers Fan

Starting this coming autumn, I'm going to find more productive ways to spend my Sundays.

Recently, the brothers Pouncey - those titanic offensive linemen from the Steelers and Miami Dolphins - were photographed wearing hats inscribed with the words "FREE HERNANDEZ". Lapse in sound judgement aside, in sporting these ball caps they are sending a very clear message - they are in support of an accused murderer. What's more, both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins now appear to be "Hernandez Sympathizers" by mere association with these two. The New England Patriots and even the NFL have attempted to distance themselves from due process by having a "jersey return/exchange" and photograph removed from the hall of fame, respectively. So, if Hernandez's former team and the very league he in which he was playing is trying to make a clean separation, why would anyone think it would be a good idea to embrace Hernandez or the crimes he's accused of? Do the Pouncey brothers believe he didn't do it? Or, do they believe the act of killing Odin Lloyd wasn't wrong and shouldn't be punished? I tend to lean toward the latter...

Part of the answer here goes back to a previous column I wrote about giving too much money to people who are too immature and ignorant to own it. But perhaps more importantly though is the media glamorization of senseless and often criminal acts. Steelers DT Alameda Ta'amu went on a bender that ended with him plowing through several vehicles on Carson Street on the South Side last year. His tirade earned him exactly zero punishment, legal or organizationally. James Harrison beat his wife and was tossed a sympathetic ear by the Steelers. The only character left in the Steelers locker room (and largely the rest of the league) is that of the "gangsta". And until some outrage is heard and actually dealt with FINANCIALLY, this kind of behavior will continue.

Society is teaching teenagers that if you grow up as a drug dealer, you'll be rewarded with a highly successful rap career, a radio show and various TV and movie appearances. I suppose you can only expect that the "gangsta" mentality of "snitches get stitches" is embraced by the network of criminals that make up the majority of the league. The vast majority of fans will cast this incident aside like they so often do when it comes to poor choices, bad behavior or arrests. And as long as it doesn't interfere with your God given right to watch Steelers football on Sunday, you're perfectly happy. But that is the very definition of "gangsta" mentality...