SPORTS BEAT

SPORTS BEAT

By Rich Briggs
March 7, 2008

One of my contemporaries in this business is John Steigerwald. He used to be on WTAE TV in his early days as a broadcaster in Pittsburgh before moving to KDKA TV in the middle 1980s, where he stayed until his contract was not renewed at the end of October 2007. He writes a weekly column for the Observer Reporter on Sundays in the sports section. He is now heard on KDKA Radio at night, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with another Pittsburgh broadcasting legend in Scott Paulsen of, among others, WHTX (back in the middle 1980s), WDVE FM where he was a member of the morning show with Jim Krenn, WBGG Radio, back to WDVE FM, WTZN (formerly and currently B-94 FM) and now KDKA Radio.

However, this week’s column is not about Paulsen and Steigerwald. This was just merely an introduction. An item that appeared in Steigerwald’s column this past Sunday was in relation to the number of sacks the Steelers’ offensive line gave up this past season and how many of those were the fault of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, Ben caused a number of his own sacks by trying to make plays and holding onto the ball too long. Yet, I would still take a quarterback who is trying to make plays and help his team win than one who takes a dive in the face of adversity. Others would state otherwise and they are certainly entitled to their opinions.

Steigerwald has often been a supporter of former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, to the point of being an apologist. Granted, when Stewart was in Pittsburgh, he endeared himself to the fans by playing the role of Slash – quarterback/running back/wide receiver. Had Kordell stayed in this role as a utility player, or even developed his skills as a wide receiver, he could probably have written, and punched, his ticket to the Hall of Fame. He was that good as an athlete, and that was both his blessing and his curse.

Stewart insisted he was a quarterback and wanted to play quarterback for the Steelers. In his book, Jerome Bettis stated that the reason why Stewart failed in Pittsburgh is that Bill Cowher and the coaching did not know what to do with him and how to handle him. Granted, Stewart had his moments as a quarterback, leading the team to the AFC Championship Game in 1997 and 2001. When he performed to his maximum abilities, Stewart did his job well. However, he also made his share of mistakes and that was part of his downfall.

Part of the role of quarterback in the NFL, and especially for teams in cities such as Pittsburgh, is to take responsibility for your team and your performance, good and bad, but especially bad. Leaders shoulder the blame and deflect criticism away from their teammates, especially in the face of a loss. Never once in his entire career, especially when he was a quarterback, did I ever hear Kordell Stewart accept blame for the Steelers when they lost a game. It was always about the “team” and never about Stewart. That was one of the reasons for his downfall.

I do not want to hear one word about Stewart being a black quarterback. Back in the 1970s, the Steelers had a black quarterback in “Jefferson Street” Joe Gilliam and he supplanted Terry Bradshaw at one time as the Steelers quarterback during their first Super Bowl run in 1974. Gilliam earned two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers before he earned his way out of town because of poor performances and the decision by the Steelers to go with Bradshaw, who would become their franchise quarterback.

Presently, the Steelers have, arguably, the best backup quarterback in the business in Charlie Batch. Batch was a starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions, and on some bad teams I might add, yet he had the skills to start in the NFL and he took advantage of the opportunity to come back home and play for the Steelers when the Lions decided to go in another direction. It didn’t hurt his cause that he has given back to his community in so many ways. Batch is a class act and a character guy. We can use more of Charlie Batch’s type in the NFL. Oh, by the way, did I mention that Batch is an African American?

Fast forward to what happened on Monday of this past week. Franchise quarterback and number one draft pick in 2004, 11th overall, Ben Roethlisberger signed a Steeler record six year $102 million contract with $36 million of that guaranteed. He still has two years left on his original contract. When he stepped into the lineup his rookie year, he went 14 – 0 as a starter, the first quarterback to do that to begin his career. His second year, he guided the Steelers to the Super Bowl and their fifth world title. This past year, he passed for a franchise record 32 touchdown passes, surpassing Bradshaw. Forget 2006. That year was an aberration, thanks or no thanks to his near fatal motorcycle accident and an appendectomy. He showed that season was a fluke.

What has endeared Ben to the fans, and especially his teammates, is that he is a standup guy and takes the blame when the team loses and spreads the praise when they win. His teammates will go through a wall for him when he conducts himself in this fashion and this is why he is fast developing into a leader of this football team. I, for one, am extremely happy that the Steelers got this done and that Ben will retire as a Steeler. You do not lose a franchise quarterback due to money. I know there are those who are hurting that the team could not sign Alan Faneca. There is a big difference – Fanaca is 31 going on 32; Ben just turned 26 this past Sunday.

Now, to the media and the fans. As the media is wont to do, they like to get the voice of the fan on the street. Well, as you would imagine, some readers of this paper and this column may feel the same way. There are those who feel no one is worth that kind of money. Guess who was at CMU a couple of weeks ago? Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and the richest man in the world. Did I hear anyone say he isn’t worth the money he is worth? No, I didn’t. Here is my problem with people – this is the free market in action and Ben was signed to a contract based on his abilities and his achievements. Ben is still growing and still learning, which is scary.

However, the fans act as if it’s a crime for someone to earn that kind of money. I do not feel sorry for people who complain and cannot be happy for someone who is living the American Dream and earned a salary based on his performance. These are the same people who will stand in line for a PowerBall ticket when the jackpot hits over $100 million, yet they begrudge someone that kind of money when they have earned it. I call it jealously and envy. If you work hard and make something of yourself, you can earn good money as well. Don’t begrudge Ben for a contract worthy of a franchise quarterback.

Before his career is over, Ben will lead the Steelers to more championships and prove he is worth every penny of this contract. This is the free market system at work and the American Way. Congratulations, Ben! You’ve earned it. Please stay healthy and I wish you well!!