ESPN – Steelers cut Wilson after he’s arrested for allegedly punching ex-girlfriend – NFL/http://sports.espn.go.comI

I love the Pittsburgh Steelers. I have nothing but the highest respect for the Rooney family. I however have to give it the big eye roll and chuckle when the Steelers take virtually two identical incidents, players assaulting their girlfriends and cut the has-been backup player while keeping the star player.

The actions of the Steelers re-affirm that there is a double standard in professional sports when it comes to on-field accountability for off-field conduct…..

The Pittsburgh Steelers released wide receiver Cedrick Wilson on Thursday, hours after he was charged with assaulting his estranged girlfriend at a suburban restaurant. Wilson was once a great wide recever but is on the downside of his career and did not do much for the Steelers last year

Compare that to the situation of Steeler’s star linebacker James Harrison, voted the Steelers’ MVP by his teammates last season who was charged with simple assault and criminal mischief for allegedly hitting his girlfriend on March 8

Harrison unlike Wilson remains with the team in no danger of being released.

With regards to the Harris incident, team chairman Dan Rooney told reporters. “The Steelers do not condone violence of any kind, especially against women.” Rooney went on to state that “they viewed the two siutations differently”

Well let’s see , Situation #1-Boy hits girl…. Situation #2 Boy hits girl…… Yea, I can see how they would view those differently…..

What Rooney does not tell you is that they dont view the situation different because there is any difference in conduct of the players; they view it differently in that releasing one is no big deal while releasing the other would have a major impact on the team.

I guess Harris’s girlfriend must have secretly told Mr. Rooney that it was really rough-sex play and she secretly enjoyed being pummeled by her boyfriend…….

(ESPN) Inspired by the incredible ratings of the  NHL outdoor Winter Classic Hockey games, The National Football League announced today that in light of the number of NFL players currently facing jail time, doing time and having done prison time, there will be an off-season exhibition game played against the to be formed NFL CONVICT ALL STAR TEAM. The team will be complete organized and funded by the NFL as well as funds obtained from the Federal Economic Bailout.   team was formed from NFL players currently serving prison time or having already served time and released. Tryouts were recently held at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. While the list of the names of the former players who tried out was kept under tight security, ESPN investigators were able to get a list of those trying out.We have learned that the game will be telecast on pay per view at the price of 49.95 on the NFL Network. An NFL spokesperson speaking on the condition of anonymity stated that they see no reason why this should not become an annual event for many years to come.

When questioned as to why they thought there would be a steady stream of players, the spokesperson stated that given the number of NFL players arrested yearly they should have no problem fielding a team for years to come. It was also pointed out that there were an increasing number of college football arrests that could be beneficial to the new team. It was specifically noted that about half the Penn State Nittany Lion football team was facing jail time for one offense or another… They were keeping a close eye on that situation for recruiting purposes. Here are the confirmed starters so far:

• 1. Michael Vick at quarterback. Vick is serving 23 months at Levenworth Federal Prison as a result of his plea of guilty to numerous charges related to dog fighting. It was felt that Mike’s “vicious, merciless style” is well suited for the team. They had Michael Vick at quarterback for the foreseeable future and that would be enough to field a competitive team. He stated that Vick as the cornerstone for the new team fit the “running” persona of the team perfectly.

• 2. Starting at wide receiver will be former Carolina Panthers wide received Rae Carruth currently doing 18 years for conspiring to kill his girlfriend. You will recall that Ray went on the run and was found hiding in the trunk of a car. A perfect target for the “running’ style of Vick who often can’t hit the broad side of a barn let alone a car trunk…..

• 3. A surprise starter is former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Byron “Bam Morris. A former Doak Walker award winner, Morris served 30 months at Leavenworth Federal Prison for drug trafficking. Morris is currently playing for the Katy Copperheads of the National Indoor Football League. It is rumored however that he feels his career will be better served on the All Con Team. He is currently negotiating with authorities to violate his parole…They expect him in the starting lineup in the near future….

• 4. Also starting at running back will be former Ohio State Standout Maurice Clarett. Clarett is currently serving 7 years for robbery at the Toledo Correctional Institution. It is rumored that Clarett has already negotiated a transfer to an Israeli prison after the season is over. He will complete his sentence their and enter the Israeli Army…..

• 5. On defense, former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Dwayne Goodrich is vying for a starting position. Goodrich is currently serving 7 years for criminally negligent homicide. Goodrich, while on his way home from a strip club, struck and killed two people who were trying to help a stranded motorist pulled off to the side of the highway. It is hoped that his slashing, reckless collision oriented style will help in running down open field running backs . When asked about the new team, Goodrich stated that he hoped the team would be able to land former Buffalo Bills running back and NFL Hall of Famer O.J Simpson….. Simpson is currently awaiting trial in Las Vegas on robbery and kidnapping charges. He went on to state that he did not think anyone could run O.J. down the way he could…..

The balance of the team will be named as more players enter the prison system. We have also learned that Burt Reynolds has been contacted to coach the team. When asked why Burt would be a good coach, Roger Goodell responded that he did an excellent job for that all con team many years ago…. When it was pointed out that Burt did play football at Florida State, he in fact was referring to the movie “The Longest Yard… Goodall acted surprised and stated he could have sworn Reynolds had done time for stealing a car…..