We’ve discussed all the bad news regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ NFLPA report card. Overall, Pittsburgh ranks last in the NFL in several categories and has multiple F’s, including family treatment, home field, locker room and team travel.
In this week’s podcast, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger discusses the transcript and attempts to downplay the team’s shortcomings and offer some different perspectives.
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“If a player suddenly gets drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, there’s no way — and I shouldn’t say no — I can’t imagine a player saying, ‘I don’t want to go to Pittsburgh because they just have an F on their grade card,'” Roethlisberger said. “Because their weight room isn’t big enough.” Because the family – I don’t remember everything there. “
Roethlisberger went on to talk about how he would rather be considered family than have six urinals in the locker room. This is where Roethlisberger’s loyalty to his team really makes him miss the mark on these issues.
It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. You can be a franchise that is welcoming and like a family while still having great facilities. It doesn’t have to be one way or the other. In fact, we believe that having better facilities will only strengthen the family concept between ownership and players. Not to mention, the Steelers get an F for their treatment of families. Down from last year’s C-. This doesn’t feel like a franchise that puts family first in any capacity.
The Rooney family works the way it does because the reputation of being a Steeler and playing for former head coach Mike Tomlin helped players, especially free agents, overcome those shortcomings. With Tomlin gone, it will be interesting to see how free agency sees this team.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger misses the point on disappointing NFLPA report card
