Thrown Under ‘The Bus’: Bettis Says Steelers Wallace Doesn’t Understand

Two weeks ago, the rapper formerly known as Snoop Dogg weighed in on the Mike Wallace contract situation.  And as it should come as no surprise that Snoop’s ‘pay the man’ argument didn’t get any traction, I think the real advice should come from guys who actually understand playing football for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Someone with class, grace, and common sense.  Someone like Jerome Bettis.

This Bus – dear God not to be confused with Wallace’s agent James ‘Bus’ Cook – pointed out on the NFL Network (thanks by the way for getting someone who knows football for a change) Wallace’s inept ability to comprehend that he’s playing for one of the greatest franchises in history.  The Steelers are this way for many reasons – one of them being how they deal with their players.

"“I think when you go through the history of the Steelers, they do things a bit differently.  And when you look at in relationship to their stars, they still stay one way. They’re firm in their resolve and the way they do things. All you have to do is go back to Hines Ward.”"

Ahh yes the Hines Ward situation.  The ever wise Bettis pointed out that Hines’s holdout ended on a positive note because after three weeks Ward finally showed up to camp.  Once he showed up to camp, the team worked with him on a contract.  That was a directive that came from the front office.  Hines listened and ended up playing a bunch more years with the team, and oh yea, won another Super Bowl.

Mike Wallace has a real life example of what not to do.  Yet here we are.  No contract, a holdout, and many who are beginning to not care what happens to this guy.  Mr. Bettis, tell us why.

"“But the problem is, you know, Mike doesn’t really understand the concept of how the Steelers work, and so he’s got to kind of figure that out. Once he figures that out and comes in, I think they’ll work a deal out.”"

Mike doesn’t really understand.  Truer words have never been spoken from someone who actually understand the Steelers and the business of football.  I’ll take it one step further, Bus.  Mike doesn’t really understand the Steelers, period.  The dude better start to get a grip on that concept or will find himself out of time, out of a team, and possibly out of a career – or at least what it could have been.

I hope Wallace was watching.