Steelers Morning Huddle 11/7/2013
By Kim Myers
Huddle up!
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
How about some non-Patriots loss related news? I’m sure everyone can use a break from rehashing the monstrosity that was the Steelers game this past Sunday. The film has been reviewed and evaluated and it’s time to move on to the next opponent. They can’t lose the game anymore than they already did, can they? Here’s what’s being said about your Pittsburgh Steelers around the block.
Steelers visit Military Veterans
Teresa Varley reported that as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service for the month of November, several Steelers players surprised a group of veterans at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System’s Heinz campus. Tackle Kelvin Beachum, center Fernando Velasco, and linebacker Chris Carter joined the veterans in a game of Steelers Bingo. The bingo card reflected the numbers of players from the Steelers Super Bowl IX team. The players also handed out Steelers prizes and camouflage Terrible Towels autographed by the Steelers. The veterans enjoyed meeting some of the football players, but the gratitude was all from the players themselves.
"“We just play a little game called football. They go out there and put their lives on the line all of the time. They are real heroes in my eyes. It’s nothing about football. It’s about what they do on a daily basis.” – Fernando Velasco"
Polamalu weighs in on bullying
The disturbing news from the harassment that apparently went on inside the Miami Dolphins locker room has sparked conversations all over the place about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior as far as rookie hazing or teasing in NFL locker rooms. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu went on ESPN’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd (who is the governor of Doucheachusettes, but that’s a conversation for another time) to discuss the atmosphere the Steelers locker room provides for the rookies and younger players.
"“I was actually worried coming out of college (in 2004) because you hear about stories, people getting their hair shaved or whatnot and I thought they would cut my hair when I came to Pittsburgh, but it was the exact opposite here. Guys accepted me with open arms. Anything I needed whether it was a car, whether it was to sleep at their house and we only return that favor now that I’m a veteran on the team. Any young guy, whether they need a car or a house or some extra spending cash, whatever it may be we try our best to help them.” – Troy Polamalu"
Troy said that the culture comes from the top of the organization.
"“They’ve really instilled a family environment that’s permeated our locker room so whenever a rookie comes in we accept them with open arms. We teach them the best way we know how on how to be professional, how to take care of your body, how to train, how to learn the defense, the offense, whatever it may be.” – Troy Polamalu"
If Richard Sherman was commissioner
This isn’t exactly Steelers-related news but it was an interesting read from the MMQB website. Seattle Seahawks CB Richard Sherman wrote a post about how he might change some things in the NFL if he happened to be the commissioner. He’s got some interesting ideas. First off, Sherman points out the oddity that is Roger Goodell giving the draft class each a handshake and/or hug as their names are announced. Clearly it’s an emotional moment for the player so it’s understandable that the players would hug just about anyone who announced that their life-long dreams had just come true. But, the problem lies with the fact that Roger Goodell, as the commissioner, does not represent those players he’s hugging. He represents the owners and his actions support the owners’ interests in the game as opposed to the players’. He suggests with all of his ideas that if the commissioner couldn’t cater more to the players, who drive the NFL and its success, than he really shouldn’t be posturing on a stage offering hugs to players that they’ll later regret.
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