Getting it off my chest

[Bengalzona]

It is hard for me to say it, but congrats to the Steelers for their win last night.

Unfortunately, I think the whole NFL loses. Not because the Steelers won, of course. I think most reasonable fans from both teams knew going in this would be a close hard-fought game which either side could take. But rather because the conduct of the game, the players and the coaches got so out of control. I shouldn't have to give examples, but I will:

- a player concussed from a helmet on helmet hit and the hitter doing a celebratory dance
- an injured player being booed and having a bottle thrown at him while he is being carted from the field
- a coach pulling a players hair
- a senseless headshot on a receiver
- another coach walking on the field and smacktalking opposing players
- players running off the field with the ball while the game is still going on

And those were just the more egregious activities.

It is pretty easy to single out individuals and cast blame for most of this stuff (Burflict, Shazier, Jones, Porter, Munchak, etc.). And the league will do that on Tuesday. I'm sure we will see a suspension for Burflict, a fine for Porter, and possible fines for others. And that will appease some. But I think this goes beyond individuals. Both sides were in the wrong. One side wasn't "wronger" than the other. This is a culture of 'wrongness'.

Perhaps it is just me and how I was raised. When me and my siblings would fight, we'd point our fingers at each other and say, "But he started it!!!!". My dad would reply, "I don't care. You're both wrong, and I am right." Then, he would proceed to spank us. He was 'right' because he saw the big picture: he didn't want us kids fighting each other all of the time.

But you know what? We were kids. The players and coaches and fans (for the most part) are adults. A higher standard is expected. You are right to expect that standard of those around you. If someone throws a bottle out onto the field, have some backbone to tell them that ain't right. If there is a questionable hit on the field, don't cheer like that was "the greatest hit ever!". If someone is being toted off in a cart with an injury, don't boo them or laugh. In short, set the example even when the players, coaches and other fans aren't setting the example.

I'm probably preaching to the choir here. We generally have good folk on this board. And for those who fall astray, I hope this reminder can help them "turn from the Dark Side".

I love this team. And I'll be cheering for them again next fall. But I am glad that my father, who also loved this team and who passed away last January, didn't see that sorry excuse for a professional sports contest last night. He loved the game more than he loved the team or any individual players.