.....although I have big time disagreements with others on this board regarding the "plan", I am thankful that none of our guys has embarrassed the city, western Pennsylania, their organization and their teammates as another high profile athlete in Pittsburgh has done.

If lack of character and judgement is the price one must pay to win championships, I'll gladly settle for a half decent major league team and call it a deal.

That is precisely why there is special interest in the Steeler action/ reaction to this situation. Do they still have their same identification as before or not. We'll see by what if anything they do next.

Perhaps you have hit on a potential marketing ploy . . . "our record may suck but at least our players don't sexually assault women (allegedly) and the games are played in warmer weather."

The fans will back the Steelers just like they always have as soon as they hit the field and win some games. I really think it's that simple. The same goes for Big Ben. When he gets on the field and throws some touchdown passes the crowd will back him. He's on thinner ice than before but they'll come back when he performs at his job.

I, too, hope that this is an episode that we can close the book on.

Nicely said.

I'm not a bit embarrassed by anything Ben did, and I would suggest that any fan who feels that Ben's actions reflect badly on them needs some therapy.

I know that I live vicariously through the players on my favorite sports teams. That's why I plan on trolling for cougars tonight after I submit my application for an internship at the Department of Agriculture.

Unless you're cruising underaged bars with your poon posse and tally-wacker swinging in the breeze, I'd imagine you wouldn't be embarrassed.